| Abstract: | A sex-linked recessive lethal test was performed on male fruit flies of the species Drosophila melanogaster, (Oregon-R strain), exposed to an approximate five-fold dilution of exhaust from a diesel engine. The eight hour exposure was achieved by drawing diluted diesel exhaust from a three cubic meter stainless steel exposure chamber housing laboratory animals through a two liter reaction flask modified for use with Drosophila. A preconditioned sampling bag was used to collect the emissions after passing through the exposure chamber containing the flies. Results of analyses performed on the diesel exhaust mixture showed the following: carbon dioxide—0.17%, carbon monoxide—12.2 ppm, hydrocarbons—11.6 ppm, nitrogen oxide—3.8 ppm, nitrogen dioxide—2.9 ppm, sulphur dioxide—1.0 ppm, and particulates—2.18 mg/m3. Two broods of the F2 generation were investigated for the occurrence of recessive lethal events. These broods approximated the developing gametogenic stages of mature sperm (P1 matings on days 2 and 3 postexposure) and spermatocytes (P1 matings on days 8 and 9). Additionally, the F3 generation was evaluated for the occurrence of mosaic recessive lethal events which might escape detection in the F2 generation. An equal number of F2 and F3 flies for both broods served as concurrent controls. Results indicate that, under the conditions tested, the diesel exhaust did not increase the mutation frequency of the exposed flies (F2 rate = 0.30%, F3 rate = 0%) when compared to the concurrent controls (F2 rate = 0.37%, F3 rate = 0.15%). |
