Dose-Dependent Testicular Injury and Recovery after Total-Body Irradiation in Rhesus Monkeys

We examined the testes from 143 irradiated and control male rhesus monkeys, who were part of the Radiation Late Effects Cohort over a four-year period. Irradiated animals were exposed to doses ranging from 3.5 to 8.5 Gy of total-body irradiation. The testes were assessed using computed tomography (CT) volumetry, serum testosterone, and histology for deceased members of the cohort. Irradiated animals exhibited dose-dependent testicular atrophy as well as decreased serum testosterone during the winter breeding season when compared to age-matched unirradiated controls. No significant difference in summer testosterone levels was observed. Volumetric and histologic evidence of testicular recovery was present approximately three years postirradiation for animals who received ≤8 Gy. The study demonstrates dose-dependent testicular injury after total-body irradiation and provides evidence for volumetric and spermatogonial recovery even at lethal doses of total-body irradiation in rhesus monkeys.PMID:37702414 | DOI:10.1667/RADE-23-00008.1.S1

Source: Radiation Research - September 13, 2023 Category: Physics Authors: George W Schaaf John D Olson Greg O Dugan Betsy A Pray Jacob A Cleary J Mark Cline Source Type: research