Effects of fast neutrons on spermatogenesis of the fish, Oryzias latipes

The weight loss of the testes, the behavior of the primary spermatogonia Ia and Ib, and the inhibition of DNA synthesis in the testes of the fish, Oryzias latipes, which had been kept at low temperature, irradiated with 2 MeV of fast neutrons (100, 200, 400, and 600 rad), and transferred to 250C, were investigated and compared with the effects of 200 kVp of x rays. A considerable weight loss of the testes was demonstrated at 15 days after irradiation with neutrons. The 50% effective dose (ED50) for weight loss of testes was less than 100 rad after fast neutrons and about 500 rad after 200 kVp of x rays. Although the primary spermatogonia Ia were not significantly reduced in number after neutron irradiation, the primary spermatogonia Ib were markedly damaged. At 3 days after irradiation, the pyknoses of the primary spermatogonia Ib and surviving fraction of the cells depended on the exposure dose. Fast neutrons had ED50 values of 330 rad at 3 days and 130 rad at 5 days after irradiation in the surviving fraction of the primary spermatogonia Ib and after x irradiation; ED50 values were 810 and 490 rad at 3 and 5 days, respectively. In all dose groups, the lowest number of the cells was observed at 15 days. Thereafter the number of the spermatogonia Ib increased, returning to the control level and 55% of the control in the fish irradiated with 100 and 200 rad of neutrons at 30 days