Radiosensitivity of testicular cells in the fetal mouse

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Radiation Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3579091· OSTI ID:62046

Vergouwen, R P.F.A.; Roepers-Gajadien, H L; Rooij, D.G. de ^[1]; Huiskamp, R; Bas, R J ^[2]; Davids, J A.G. ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Utrecht (Netherlands)
2. Netherlands Energy Research Foundation ECN, Petten (Netherlands)
3. Lonbar Petrilaan, Overveen (Netherlands)

The effects of prenatal X irradiation on postnatal development of the CBA/P mouse testis was studied. At days 14, 15 and 18 post coitus pregnant female mice were exposed to single doses of X rays ranging from 0.25-1.5 Gy. Higher doses resulted in extensive loss of fetal mice. In the male offspring, at days 3 and 31 post partum, the numbers of gonocytes, type A spermatogonia and Sertoli cells per testis were determined using the disector method. Furthermore, after irradiation at day 15 post coitus, the numbers of Leydig cells, mesenchymal cells, macrophages, myoid cells, lymphatic endothelial cells, endothelial cells and perivascular cells per testis were also determined at days 3 and 31 post partum. At day 3 post partum, the number of germ cells was decreased after irradiation at days 14 and 15 post coitus. A D{sub o} value of 0.7 Gy was determined for the radiosensitivity of the gonocytes at day 14 post coitus. A D{sub o} value of 0.8 Gy was determined for the gonocytes at day 15 post coitus which, however, seems to be less accurate. No accurate D{sub o} value could be determined for the gonocytes at day 18 post coitus. At day 31 post partum, the repopulation of the seminiferous epithelium as well as testis weights and tubular diameters were more affected by irradiation with increasing age of the mice at the time of irradiation. The percentage of tubular cross sections showing spermatids decreased with increasing dose after irradiation at days 15 and 18 post coitus, but not after irradiation at day 14 post coitus. Furthermore, in tubular cross sections showing spermatids, exposure of testes to 1.25 and 1.5 Gy at day 18 post coitus resulted in significantly lower numbers of spermatids per cross section when compared to those testes exposed to the same doses at day 15 post coitus. 30 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 62046
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 141; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREAE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
GERM CELLS
MICE
PRENATAL IRRADIATION
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SPERMATOGONIA
STEM CELLS
TESTES
X RADIATION