Gradual Regeneration of Mouse Testicular Stem Cells after Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

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Abstract
The regeneration of mouse testicular stem cells during 60 wk after exposure to 600 or 1200 rad of .gamma.-radiation was examined. Restoration of spermatogenesis depended on stem cell survival, regeneration and differentiation. Several assays were employed to measure the number of stem cells and their ability to repopulate the seminiferous epithelium. The ability of the stem cells to produce functional spermatozoa was measured by the fertility of the animals. Gradual regeneration of stem cell number occurred simultaneously with repopulation of the seminiferous epithelium by differentiating cells derived from stem cells. The regeneration kinetics of stem cells followed an exponential increase approaching a dose-dependent plateau below the level prior to irradiation. The doubling time for stem cells during the exponential portion was about 2 wk.

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