Effect of low level prenatal X-irradiation on postnatal growth in the Wistar rat

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987 · Growth; (United States)

OSTI ID:7091271

Jensh, R P; Brent, R L

Forty-five pregnant Wistar strain rats were exposed to 0.0, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8 Gy X-radiation on the 9th or 17th day of gestation to determined if prenatal X-irradiation would result in alterations in postnatal growth or growth rate. The mothers delivered their offspring, and the litters were reduced to a maximum of eight per litter on the second postnatal day. The 336 offspring were weighed weekly from day 3 until day 86, at which time they were killed, an autopsy was performed, and selected organs were removed and weighed. Postnatal growth rates did not differ significantly in irradiated offspring compared to sham irradiated animals. Irradiation on the 9th day, at any of the 3 dosage levels, did not result in significant differences in weekly weight. Weekly weight remained significantly lower due to irradiation on the 17th day of gestation. The gonadal weight ratio was significantly reduced in males irradiated on the 9th day. There were not other statistically significant changes in organ weight or organ/body weight ratios due to these levels of prenatal X-irradiation on the 9th or 17th day of pregnancy. These results indicate that low level prenatal X-irradiation, on the 17th day of rat gestation, causes prenatal growth retardation, evident at birth, which is not recuperable postnatally. Exposure to x-radiation at this time, however, does not affect the rate at which offspring grow during postnatal life. Offspring are smaller because they never fully recover from the original radiation-induced prenatal growth retardation.

• Research Organization: Thomas Jefferson Univ., Philadelphia, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7091271
• Journal Information: Growth; (United States), Journal Name: Growth; (United States) Vol. 52:1; ISSN GROWA
• 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.
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FETUSES
GROWTH
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
LOW DOSE IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
PRENATAL IRRADIATION
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RATS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
X RADIATION