Stage-specific damage to synaptonemal complexes and metaphase chromosomes induced by X rays in male mouse germ cells

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Radiation Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577887· OSTI ID:5891134

Backer, L C; Sontag, M R; Allen, J W ^[1]

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1. Environmental Health Research and Testing, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)

Synaptonemal complexes reveal mutagen-induced effects in germ cell meiotic chromosomes. This study was aimed at characterizing relationships between damage to synaptonemal complexes and metaphase I chromosomes following radiation exposure at various stages of spermatogenesis. Male mice were irradiated with doses of 0, 2, or 4 Gy, and spermatocytes were harvested at times consistent with earlier exposures as spermatogonial stem cells, preleptotene cells (premeiotic DNA synthesis), or meiotic prophase cells. After stem-cell exposure, twice as many rearrangements were observed in synaptonemal complexes as in metaphase I chromosomes. Irradiation during premeiotic DNA synthesis resulted in dose-related increases in synaptonemal complex breakage and rearrangements (including novel forms) and in metaphase chromosomal aberrations. Following prophase exposure, various types and levels of damage to synaptonemal complexes and metaphase chromosomes were observed. Irradiation of zygotene cells led to high frequencies of chromosome multivalents in metaphase I without a correspondingly high level of damage in preceding prophase synaptonemal complexes. Thus irradiation of premeiotic and meiotic cells results in variable relationships between damage to synaptonemal complexes and metaphase chromosomes. Interpretations of these relationships are based upon what is known about both radiation clastogenesis and the structural/temporal relationships between synaptonemal complexes at prophase and chromosomes at metaphase I of meiosis.

• OSTI ID: 5891134
• Journal Information: Radiation Research; (USA), Journal Name: Radiation Research; (USA) Vol. 125:2; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CELL DIVISION
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
DNA REPLICATION
DOSES
GAMETES
GENETIC EFFECTS
GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
GERM CELLS
MAMMALS
MICE
MITOSIS
MUTATION FREQUENCY
MUTATIONS
NUCLEIC ACID REPLICATION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RODENTS
SPERMATOGONIA
VERTEBRATES