Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced changes in sperm morphology and chromatin distribution

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Cytometry (Baltimore); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/cyto.990110505· OSTI ID:6615688

Aubele, M; Juetting, U R; Rodenacker, K; Gais, P; Burger, G; Hacker-Klom, U ^[1]

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1. Institut fuer Strahlenschutz, Neuherberg (Germany, F.R.)

Sperm head cytometry provides a useful assay for the detection of radiation-induced damage in mouse germ cells. Exposure of the gonads to radiation is known to lead to an increase of diploid and higher polyploid sperm and of sperm with head shape abnormalities. In the pilot studies reported here quantitative analysis of the total DNA content, the morphology, and the chromatin distribution of mouse sperm was performed. The goal was to evaluate the discriminative power of features derived by high resolution image cytometry in distinguishing sperm of control and irradiated mice. Our results suggest that besides the induction of the above mentioned variations in DNA content and shape of sperm head, changes of the nonhomogeneous chromatin distribution within the sperm may also be used to quantify the radiation effect on sperm cells. Whereas the chromatin distribution features show larger variations for sperm 21 days after exposure (dpr), the shape parameters seem to be more important to discriminate sperm 35 dpr. This may be explained by differentiation processes, which take place in different stages during mouse spermatogenesis.

• OSTI ID: 6615688
• Journal Information: Cytometry (Baltimore); (USA), Journal Name: Cytometry (Baltimore); (USA) Vol. 11:5; ISSN CYTOD; ISSN 0196-4763
• 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
CHROMATIN
DISTRIBUTION
DNA
DOSES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
GAMETES
GAMETOGENESIS
GERM CELLS
MAMMALS
MICE
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RODENTS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPERMATOGENESIS
SPERMATOZOA
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
VERTEBRATES