Aneuploidy in germ cells results in reproductive failure and mental and physical disorders in humans. Unfortunately, little is known about the causes and mechanisms of aneuploidy induction. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol; PG) induces cytogenetic aberrations in mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes that predispose zygotes to aneuploidy. Female ICR mice received 7.5 IU eCG and 5.0 IU hCG 48 h later. PG doses of 1300, 2600, and 5200 mg/kg body weight were given 3 h post-hCG; controls received the solvent deionized water. Ovulated oocytes were collected 16 h after administration of PG and processed for cytogenetic analysis. For the one-cell zygote cytogenetic study, females were given PG and paired (1:1) with ICR males for 16 h. Females that mated were given 2 x 10(-3) M colchicine 22 h post-PG, and zygotes were collected 18 h later. PG significantly (p < 0.05) increased both the proportion of MII oocytes with premature centromere separation (PCS) and the proportion of aneuploid one-cell zygotes. These results support the hypothesis that PG-induced PCS in MII oocytes predisposes zygotes to aneuploidy.