Electron Beam Irradiation a Potential Inducer

Vijay Mala (Grover); Akhila M; Nair Ganesh Sanjeev; Prashantha Naik; Vikram S

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2013

Electron Beam Irradiation a Potential Inducer

Vijay Mala Grover , Akhila M, Nair Ganesh Sanjeev, Prashantha Naik, Vikram S

Abstract :

Electron beam (E–beam), an ionizing radiation consists of very tiny electrically charged particles generated by a particle accelerator. There are no reports documenting E–beam induced toxicity with special reference to male germinal cells. A pilot study was carried to evaluate E–beam induced effects on morphology and density of sperms of mice that survived median–lethal dose (10–11 Gy) after five weeks following whole–body irradiation. The present study demonstrates that E–beam at median lethal dose level induces radical damaging effects on sperm morphology and density. It suggests that E–beam affects the fertility status of the survived mice and may also have an impact on the next generation if ed. Studies further in details are warranted to understand the impact of E–beam radiations on the health of the reproductive system, in particular the gamete cells. The present data demonstrates that the survived animals following exposure to median lethal dose of electron –beam exhibited severe germinal toxicity as indicated by altered sperm morphology and reduced sperm count. It suggests that E –radiations may affect the fertility status of the irradiated mouse or of the next generation if eed successfully The radical damaging effects observed at median lethal dose indicate that E–beam would induce testicular toxicity, may be at low magnitude at sub–lethal exposure, which may cause impairment in reproductive functions and other testes associated health problems.. Further studies, however are warranted to evaluate differential effects of E–beam radiations on male reproductive system at sub–lethal / therapeutic doses to evaluate the safe dose particularly in clinical applications.