Effects of X-irradiation on mouse testicular cells and sperm chromatin structure

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/em.2850250105· OSTI ID:70291

Sailer, B L; Jost, L K; Erickson, K R; Tajiran, M A; Evenson, D P ^[1]

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1. South Dakota State Univ., Sioux Falls, SD (United States)

The testicular regions of male mice were exposed to x-ray doses ranging from 0 to 400 rads. Forty days after exposure the mice were killed and the testes and cauda epididymal sperm removed surgically. Flow cytometric measurements of acridine orange stained testicular samples indicated a repopulation of testicular samples indicated a repopulation of testicular cell types following x-ray killing of stem cells. Cauda epididymal sperm were analyzed by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), a flow cytometric measurement of the susceptibility of the sperm nuclear DNA to in situ acid denaturation. The SCSA detected increased susceptibility to DNA denaturation in situ after 12.5 rads of x-ray exposure, with significant increases following 25 rads. Abnormal sperm head morphology was not significantly increased until the testes were exposed to 60 rads of x-rays. These data suggest that the SCSA is currently the most sensitive, noninvasive method of detecting x-ray damage to testicular stem spermatogonia. 47 refs., 5 figs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 70291
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 25; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHROMATIN
MICE
SPERMATOGONIA
SPERMATOZOA
TESTES
X RADIATION