Induction of abnormal sperm heads in small mammals under chronic ionizing radiation

Abstract

The results of this study show a mutagenic effect of low-dose ionizing radiation in male germ cells. The damage of male germcells was assessed by the frequency of abnormal sperm heads in tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus Pall.), bank voles (Myodes glareolusSchreb.), and field mice (Apodemus agrarius Pall.) from the 30 km exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power station andfor laboratory animals (mice and rats) under chronic γ-irradiation. The abnormal sperm head detection method used appeared to besensitive to conditions of low-dose irradiation and can consequently be recommended as a bioindicator to monitor environmental radiation pollution.