Mutagenicity tests with nickel salts in the male mouse

The ability of NiCl₂ and Ni(NO₃)₂ to induce chromosome aberrations in vivo in male mouse has been tested by the micronucleus test and the dominant lethality test. NiCl₂ as well as Ni(NO₃)₂ failed to produce micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes whereas cyclophosphamide, used as positive control, raised their incidence markedly. In contrast to the results obtained with cyclophosphamide, NiCl₂ and Ni(NO₃)₂ did not increase the rate of post-implantation death. These compounds decreased significantly, however, the rate of pregnancy as well as the amount of pre-implantation loss. Taking into account also the data in the literature, it is concluded that nickel probably has no clastogenic properties in mammals.