Radiation Survival and Regeneration Characteristics of Spermatogenic Stem Cells of Mouse Testis

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974 · Radiation Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3573759· OSTI ID:4344709

Withers, H. R.; Hunter, N.; Barkley, H. T.; Reid, B. O.

Mouse testes were studied histologically 35 or 42 days after irradiation. When doses greater than about 800 rads of gamma -rays are given, regeneration of spermatogenic epithelium occurs in discrete foci. It is assumed that a single surviving spermatogenic stem cell can regenerate a spermatogenic focus, and that the absence of spermatogenesis in a tubule signifies the absence of a surviving stem cell in that region of the tubule. The fraction of tubules containing spermatogenic colonies was used as an assay of stem-cell survival. The mean D/ sub o/ value of the singledose survival curve was 180 rads. Survivors of a first dose of 600 rads repair sublethal damage during the first few hours after irradiation. The amount of recovery measured in splitdose studies using intervals of 24 hr to 14 days is less than that measured 4 hr after exposure. This is interpreted as evidence for the existence of phases in the division cycle in which the stem cells are sensitive to radiation and into which a proportion of the first-dose survivors progress. Although surviving stem cells progress through the division cycle, and eventually form a focus of spermatogenesis, regeneration of stem cell numbers was not found in experiments continuing for 14 days after irradiation. The relevance of these characteristics to the development of fractionated-dose radiotherapy is discussed.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, Houston
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-018639
• OSTI ID: 4344709
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 57; ISSN 0033-7587
• Publisher: Radiation Research Society
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS-- FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
*FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*SPERMATOGENESIS-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
*STEM CELLS-- BIOLOGICAL REGENERATION
*TESTES-- BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CELL CYCLE
GAMMA RADIATION
MICE
PHOTON BEAMS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SPERMATOGONIA
SPERMATOZOA
SURVIVAL CURVES SPERMATOGONIA