Induction of genetic damages by Pu238 incorporated by germ cells of mouse males

Frequency of dominant lethal mutation, occurence of spermatoza with abnormal heads, and changes in the testis mass were studied after the administration to mice of 238Pu in doses from 7 to 1850 Bq/g. The frequency of genetic lesions in the testis was not a function of α-radiation dose. The rate of the testis mass decrease was a linear function of the dose absorbed. RBE of 238Pu-α-radiation, as determined by the incidence of abnormal spermatozoa heads and by the changes in the testis mass, was from 14 to 35 with regard to the chronic effect of γ-radiation