Abstract:
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether is a volatile, colorless, organic
chemical used as an alternative for lead in gasoline. To determine
the effects of MTBE on chromosomes, 80 milligrams per kilogram
body weight of MTBE was introduced intraperitoneally in 2-week
pregnant albino mice (Mus musculus Linn., 12-week old). One
pregnant albino mouse without MTBE exposure yielded 6
offspring. These were used as control. MTBE administration
induced changes in 4 out of 10 M, progenies namely Tia, Tag, Te
and Tyr. Deletion and fragments were found in T,,. Dicentrics and
fusion were found in Ty. Fusion and fragments were found in Ta,
and ring chromosome was seen in Ty. Change in chromosome
number from n = 40 to n = 38 was found in T,q4. Six of the of the
metaphase spreads from the M1 progenies exhibited normal
structure and number. More studies should be undertaken to further
demonstrate the changes brought about by MTBE.
