THE IMPACT OF IONIZING RADIATIONS ON THE EMBRYO AND FETUS

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Am. J. Roentgenol., Radium Therapy Nucl. Med.

OSTI ID:4750031

Rugh, R

Data are presented on the major abnormalities found in mice, rats, and humans following exposure of the embryo or fetus to ionizing radiations. A schematic representation is included of the role of desoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid in protein synthesis in embryonic cells. The effects of the radiosensitivity of desoxyribonucleic acid synthesis on the induction of anomalies in the embryo or fetus are discussed. It is pointed out that radioinduced congenital abnomalies should be regarded as expressions of loss or failure of certain structures to develop rather than as the appearance of additional, new, and grotesque structures. Some gross cellular changes caused by ionizing radiations are probably permanent, irrevocable, and irreparable so that the organism as a whole rejects them and continues to develop without them if it can. This leads to changes that are most graphic when they involve the central nervous system. Anomalies of the nervous system may result from exposure at any time from fertilization of the egg to the completion of development after birth. Damage to the central nervous system in late development may be revealed only by functional tests such as electroencephalography, electroretinography, psychologic behavior, and intelligence tests. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York
• NSA Number: NSA-17-013997
• OSTI ID: 4750031
• Journal Information: Am. J. Roentgenol., Radium Therapy Nucl. Med., Journal Name: Am. J. Roentgenol., Radium Therapy Nucl. Med. Vol. Vol: 89
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BEHAVIOR
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BRAIN
DIAGNOSIS
ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY
EMBRYOS
EYES
FETUSES
MALFORMATIONS
MAN
MEDICINE
MICE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEIC ACIDS
PSYCHOLOGY
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RATS
RETINA