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Phenol poisoning, although less common now than in the early part of this century, still occurs. The fatal cases discussed include the ingestion and percutaneous absorption of phenol. Death appeared to be the result of central nervous system toxicity and respiratory failure, the common autopsy finding being pulmonary edema. Blood concentrations of phenol were determined in two cases.

We have investigated the effects of testicular exposure to different doses of Co60 radiation on sperm morphology in F-344 rats. The results indicate that from 150 rad to 500 rad gamma irradiation causes statistically significant, dose-related increased in 1) the percent of morphologically aberrant sperm and 2) the frequency of tailless sperm. Both of these effects were detectable in sperm which were derived from treated spermatid, spermatocytes, and spermatogonial cells. These data indicate that the development of a sperm morphology assay in rats is feasible.

A new allele of Es-1, designated Es-1e, has been identified in the mouse. This allele was discovered segregating among the progeny of a strain DBA/2J male and is apparently the result of a spontaneous mutation within this strain. Genetic analyses have shown that this mutation is heritable and, further, that both heterozygous and homozygous progeny are viable and fertile. To date, no discernible deleterious effects have been identified as associated with this mutation.

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