MITOTIC SPINDLE DAMAGE INDUCED BY 3,4-DICHLOROANILINE IN V79 CHINESE HAMSTER-CELLS EXAMINED BY DIFFERENTIAL STAINING OF THE SPINDLE APPARATUS AND CHROMOSOMES

3, 4-Dichloroaniline (3, 4-DCA), an intermediate in various chemical syntheses, has been detected as an environmental contaminant in surface waters and in the effluents from dye manufacturing plants. Previously we showed that the compound caused mitotic spindle damage. In the present study a preparation and staining technique has been used that allows a direct examination of the spindle apparatus and chromosome behaviour of 3, 4-DCA-exposed V79 Chinese hamster cells. After a 3 h exposure the compound caused monopolar mitoses and metaphase arrest in a dose-dependent manner, most probably by interferring with centriole separation. At a concentration of 1 mM, increased levels of aneuploid cells could be observed in cells exposed for two cell division cycles. © 1990 Oxford University Press.