Evaluation of protective role of thiols and W R-2721 against biological effects of radiation exposure XVI-spermatogonia in mouse

The sensitivity of spermatogonia to radiation has been investigated in adult swiss albino to whole body gamma irradiation at the dose level 7.5 Gy using a 137Cs source. As a chemical radioprotector, either 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (Thiols) or S-2 (3-aminopropylamino) ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721) was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes after irradiation at the concentration level 100 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Spermatogonia were counted in the seminiferous tubules of the testes in both the control and irradiated mice taken at post-irradiation time intervals of 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the number of spermatogonia on the 3 rd, 5 Th and 7 Th days post-exposure. In all groups treated with either thiols or WR-2721, the count of spermatogonia showed a slight increase as compared with irradiated animals. The present work is an attempt for evaluating the role of thiols and WR-2721 in protecting the spermatogonia of mice against a single sublethal dose (7.5 Gy) of post-exposure. 4 Figs., 1 Tab