Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM: To study the effects of mercury chloride and cadmium chloride on DNA damage of mice bone marrow cell and testicle germ cell in vitro.To compare sensitivity of DNA damage on bone marrow cell with that on testicle germ cell in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Isolated mice bone marrow,cells and testicle germ cell were exposed to mercuric chloride(respective concentration:0, 0.01,0.1,1 mmol/L)or cadmium chloride(respective concentration:0,0.04,0.2,1,5 mmol/L) for one hour.The proportion of DNA damage and length of DNA migrations were determined with single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE).RESULTS:The DNA damage rate and length of DNA migrations of isolated mice bone marrow cells and testicle germ cell treated with mercury chloride and cadmium chloride was higher than that of normal group(P<0.001，P<0.05).Results showed the obvious dose－response relationship between the DNA damage(DNA damage rate and length of DNA migrations) and doses of mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride.The DNA damage rate and length of DNA migrations of testicle germ cell treated with mercury chloride(0.01 mmol/L) and cadmium chloride(0.04、0.2、1 mmol/L)was higher than thatof bone marrow cells with mercury chloride(0.01 mmol/L) and cadmium chloride(0.04、0.2、1 mmol/L)(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The research indicated that at certain dose mercury chloride and cadmium chloride could induce DNA damage on isolated mice bone marrow cells and testicle germ cell.The DNA damage on testicle germ cell wasmore impressible.

Key words: mercury chloride, cadmium chloride, DNA damage, single cell gel electrophoresis