DIFFERENTIAL RADIOSENSITIVITY OF GERM-CELLS OF THE MALE MOUSE

Abstract

Male mice of the BALB/C+ strain were given testicular irradiation (300r) and during 8 weeks mated with virgin females, which were exchanged for new virgins twice a week. Seventeen days later, the females were dissected and the number of corpora lutea and the living and dead embryos recorded. Fertility decreased with time after irradiation and was lowest after 6 weeks. Preimplantation loss was at a maximum 4,5 and 6 weeks after treatment. It is conceivable that preimplantation loss is due to a loss of fertilizing capacity of the sperm irradiated at the spermatocyte stage. The postimplantation loss showed that the hypersensitivity period affects the spermatids at all stages.