Replication of Mu prophages lacking the central strong gyrase site (SGS) is severely slowed. To study details of the replication of these prophages, an assay was developed for determining the rate and extent of introduction of nicks at the 3'-ends of a Mu prophage, an early step in Mu replicative transposition. The maximal level of end-nicking of a prophage with the SGS, about 70-90% depending upon the host strain, was achieved within about 15 min after induction, whereas at that time less than 5% nicking was observed with a prophage lacking the SGS. The amount of nicking at the end of the SGS(-) prophage increased with time, and approx. 30% nicking of the SGS(-) prophage was achieved by 60 min post-induction. Nicking kinetics were identical at each end of the prophages, and no nicking was observed at the 5'-ends of the prophages, verifying in vivo the earlier results with in vitro systems. To determine if prophage location affects the kinetics of replication, we examined prophages at numerous chromosomal locations. SGS(+) prophages at different chromosomal locations showed essentially identical replication kinetics. SGS(-) prophages showed a range of delays in replication and host lysis. A gradient of delays was apparent, with prophages further from the chromosomal origin of replication, oriC, showing longer delays than ones nearer to oriC. However, there were also exceptions to this overall gradient. Possible explanations for the differences in the delays observed with SGS(-) prophages are discussed.