Effect of gamma radiation on fetal haemopoiesis of mouse.

ABSTRACT

Effect of a single acute exposure to gamma-rays during the late fetal period on the fetal haemopoietic tissue of mouse was studied. Pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to 1 Gy of gamma-rays on day 17 post coitus (late fetal period) and 24 hr after exposure the fetuses were observed for changes in the liver weight, cytogenetic damage in liver cells by micronucleus (MN) induction and stem cell survival by spleen colony (CFU-S) assay. Irradiation resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in fetal liver weight. A significant (P < 0.001) increase in MN count was observed after exposure, while CFU-S displayed a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the cell survival as compared to the sham-treated control. These results demonstrate the high susceptibility of mouse fetal haemopoietic system to radiation.