Age and sex differences in genome damage between prepubertal and adult mice after exposure to ionising radiation.

The mechanisms that lead to sex and age differences in biological responses to exposure to ionising radiation and related health risks have still not been investigated to a satisfactory extent. The significance of sex hormones in the aetiology of radiogenic cancer types requires a better understanding of the mechanisms involved, especially during organism development. The aim of this study was to show age and sex differences in genome damage between prepubertal and adult mice after single exposure to gamma radiation. Genome damage was measured 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after exposure of 3-week and 12-week old BALB/CJ mice to 8 Gy of gamma radiation using an in vivo micronucleus assay. There was a significantly higher genome damage in prepubertal than in adult animals of both sexes for all sampling times. Irradiation caused a higher frequency of micronuclei in males of both age groups. Our study confirms sex differences in the susceptibility to effects of ionising radiation in mice and is the first to show that such a difference occurs already at prepubertal age.

A simple calibration method for 106Ru-106Rh eye applicators.

Ru-Rh eye applicators are used for the radiotherapy of eye malignancies such as melanomas. We present a method of dosimetry of these beta particle emitting applicators. Method is based on a Plexiglas phantom (constructed for this purpose) containing spherical shells and very small, 1x1x1mm3 thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) as dosimeters. We determined 3-D depth doses and interpolated depth dose functions. Surface dose rate inhomogeneities and the consequences were considered and discussed. A possible influence of photon component of the emission on the results was analysed. The method has overall combined uncertainty + or -6% which is comparable, and slightly better, than other recent dosimetric methods.