Abnormalities in the shape of murine sperm after acute testicular X-irradiation (original) (raw)

The fraction of murine epididymal sperm with shape abnormalities ranged from 1.o-15.o% in 14 inbred stlains and hybrids studied. The effect of X-rays on this fraction was examined in mice with markedly different natural levels of abnormalities, C57 BL (9.4%) and (C57BL × C3H)F1 (1.o%). Dosages of 30, IOO, and 300 tad produced a significant increase in the number of abnormal forms, especially from 3-8 weeks following irradiation. The fraction of abnormal sperm at 5 weeks following graded doses of radiation from 0-300 rad increased from control values to 30%. The data for the hybrid fitted a curve which increased as the 3/2 power of the dose and which gave a doubling in abnormalities compared with control at 28 tad. Sperm abnormalities may permit a simple quantitative assay for damage to the genetic material of the male germ line.