Mutagenicity testing of seminal fluid: seminal fluid increases the mutagenicity of the precursor mutagen benzo[a]pyrene in the presence of S9 mix.

Small amounts of seminal fluid strongly enhanced the mutagenicity of the precursor mutagen benzo[a]pyrene (BP) in the Salmonella/microsome test. This previously unreported effect was found only in the presence of S9 mix for metabolic activation. The increase far exceeded the additive effect expected from experiments where seminal fluid and BP were tested separately with S9 mix.

Mutagenicity testing of amniotic fluid from diabetic women, with special reference to their smoking habits.

Amniotic fluid from 16 diabetic and 78 healthy women at term was tested for capacity to cause mutations in Salmonella typhimurium bacterial tester strain TA98 (Ames test). Diabetes as well as heavy smoking increased the mutagenic activity of amniotic fluid. The difference between groups of diabetics and controls was significant in both nonsmokers and women who had smoked more than 5 cigarettes the last 48 h before delivery.

Mutagenicity testing of human milk from smokers and non-smokers in the Salmonella/microsome test.

Human milk was tested in the Ames plate incorporation test using strain TA98. Pools from smokers and non-smokers respectively, as well as individual samples from 14 smokers and 15 controls were tested. No difference was found between milk from smokers and non-smokers in the concentrations and volumes used.