Important biological variables that can influence the degree of chemical-induced aneuploidy in mammalian oocyte and zygotes

The ability of certain chemicals to increase the frequency of aneuploidy in mammalian oocytes elicits concern about human health and well-being. This concernment exists because aneuploidy is the most prevalent class of human genetic disorders, and very little information exists about the etiology of aneuploidy. Although there are experimental models for studying aneuploidy in female germ cells and zygotes, these models are still being validated because insufficient information exists about the biological variables that can influence the degree of chemical-induced aneuploidy. In this regard, variables such as dose, solvent, use of gonadotrophins, mode and preovulatory time of chemical administration, time of cell harvest relative to the possibility of chemical-induced meiotic delay, criteria for cytogenetic analysis and data reporting, and an introduction to differences between cell types and sexes are presented.

Besides these variables, additional information is needed about the various molecular mechanisms associated with oocyte meiotic maturation and the genesis of aneuploidy. Also, differences between the results from selected chromosome analysis and DNA-hybridization studies are presented. Based upon the various biologic endpoints measured and the differences in cellular physiology and biochemical pathways, agreement among the results from different aneuploidy assays cannot necessarily be expected.

To gain further insight into the etiology of aneuploidy in female germ cells, information is needed about the chemical interactions between endogenous and exogenous compounds and those involved with oocyte meiotic maturation.