Reproductive system state in irradiated rats and their offspring

The data on the morphofunctional state of reproductive system organs of male rats exposed to fractional irradiation at 1,0 Gy dose in early ontogenesis (1 month age) and in offspring of the first generation from the irradiated males and females are adduced. The significant changes in relative weight of reproductive organ, spermatogenic cells composition, number of metabolic indexes, molecular characteristics of androgen reception in testes and testosterone content in blood were revealed in irradiated males (parents) at the age of 2 and 6 months. It was determined that the relative moderate radiation effects in postnatal ontogenetic period in testes and in additional organs of reproductive system in the male rats of the first generation were caused by their parents' irradiation in early ontogenesis. (authors)