Late Effects of 60 Co g Radiation on the Bovine Oocyte as Reflected by Oocyte Survival, Follicular Development, and Reproductive Performance

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Abstract
Long-term effects of ionizing radiation on the oocyte of a long-lived mammal have not been determined. Therefore, 280 15- to 18-mo.-old grade Herefords were partitioned among 5 groups and irradiated with 0, 200, 300, 400, or 300 + 300 (55 days between fractions) R of 60 .gamma.-radiation at exposure rates of 0.69 or 0.78 R/min. Dose to the ovaries was 37 .+-. 3% of the dose measured in air. Germ cell effects were assessed in the survivors through counts of germ cells and follicles in serially sectioned ovaries, the incidence of ovarian abnormalities, and reproductive performance. Neither germ cell nor follicular counts were significantly affected by irradiation (P > 0.05). Incidence of ovarian abnormalities was not altered nor was reproductive performance or quality of offspring. A near lethal postpuberally applied dose of .gamma.-radiation would not affect the reproductive capacity of the bovine female.

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