Detection of somatic mutations in vivo in lung fibroblasts, I. Spontaneous frequencies in Chinese hamsters and F344 rats

The frequency of mutant cells observed in a series of experiments in which primary cells were isolated from untreated or solvent control animals are reported. The mutants detected are thioguanine-resistant lung fibroblasts isolated de novo from Chinese hamsters or Fischer 344 rats. The results in the two species were very similar. The distribution of mutant colonies in cells isolated from untreated animals is not random (Poissonian) but rather shows an excess of mutant clusters. No significant difference was detected between males and females. The results provide the information necessary to define the appropriate conditions for the negative controls for a routine assay for mutations induced in vivo.