Effects of radioactive caesium on bull testes after the Fukushima nuclear plant accident.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to investigate the effect of chronic radiation exposure associated with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant accident on the testis from 2 bulls. Estimated dose of internal exposure in one bull was 0.7-1.2 mGy (¹³⁴Cs) and 0.4-0.6 mGy (¹³⁷Cs) and external exposure was 2.0 mGy (¹³⁴Cs) and 0.8 mGy (¹³⁷Cs) (196 days). Internal dose in the other was 3.2-6.1 mGy (¹³⁴Cs) and 1.8-3.4 mGy (¹³⁷Cs) and external dose was 1.3 mGy (¹³⁴Cs) and 0.6 mGy (¹³⁷Cs) (315 days). Sperm morphology and spermatogenesis were within normal ranges. ¹³⁴,¹³⁷Cs radioactivity was detected but Cs was not detectable in the testis by electron probe microanalysis. Thus, adverse radiation-induced effects were not observed in bull testes following chronic exposure to the above levels of radiation for up to 10 months. Since we could analyse a limited number of testes, further investigation on the effects of ionizing radiation on spermatogenesis should be extended to more animals.

SUBMITTER: Yamashiro H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3792411 | biostudies-other | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other