BRDU (5-BRDU, Bromodeoxyuridine, 5-Bromodeoxyuridine, 5-Bromo, 2-Deoxyuridine)

Prepared by: Michael J. Huerkamp, DVM, Diplomate ACLAM
Date: May 11, 2000

Agent: BRDU (5-BRDU, Bromodeoxyuridine, 5-Bromodeoxyuridine, 5-Bromo, 2-Deoxyuridine)

BRDU is a toxic chemical that locates to the cell nucleus and is used to identify dividing cells or DNA. At  room temperature, it exists as a white crystalline powder. BRDU is characterized as a weak mutagenic agent and may be harmful if ingested, inhaled or in contact with bare skin. The primary harmful effects are genetic mutation, anemia, reproductive disorders (fetal death or abnormality), cataracts, and skin irritation. The dose to induce death is high (0.9 kg drug per kg body weight orally in mice). It has low toxic and carcinogenic potential.

Potential Hazard: DAR employees may be exposed to BRDU in the bedding, dust, cages and excretions of rodents or other animals given the drug. Risks are negligible, however, given the low dose of the agent typically used in animals and the fact that virtually all of the drug should bind to cellular nucleic acids in the recipient animal or be metabolized. Data in rodents, however, suggests that the drug may be excreted for about 7 days after administration. As BRDU has a high predilection for the fetus, pregnant women should consult with their physician and use BRDU and handle potentially contaminated bedding or animals given the drug with caution.

Recommended Precautions: In the animal research facility, the primary enclosure of BRDU-treated animals should be clearly marked with a “Toxic Chemical” cage card. Ideally, rodents should be housed on dust-free paper bedding in filter top cages. The filter top cages housing such animals should not be ventilated. Cages should be accessed in a ventilated laminar air flow cabinet. For acute use in laboratories, cages should be opened only in a chemical fume hood and contaminating BRDU should be removed by the user before submitted to DAR for cage washing. In cage wash rooms, BRDU cages should be labeled, segregated and dumped in a negative air flow dumping station. Bedding should be collected and bagged for disposal by incineration. Soiled cages and cage accessories should be washed in the cage washer. Autoclaving will not inactivate the chemical. The waste from animals housed in pens, such as dogs and swine, may be washed as usual into the sanitary sewer. Animal handlers should wear a gown, hair cover, shoe covers, latex or nitrile gloves, surgical-type mask and, when handling animals or soiled cages outside of a safety cabinet or spraying pens, goggles. Always wash hands after removing gloves.

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