Changes in spermatid population of mice following radiation exposure in the presence of a Thiophosphate

Adult Swiss albino mice were exposed to 3, 6 and 8 Gy of 60Co gamma rays in three separate groups after i.p. injection of a thiophosphate compound (WR-2721) in aqueous solution. Another group of animals was irradiated similary without WR-2721 pretreatment for comparative study. Animals from both groups were killed at various post-irradiation intervals. Testes were removed, fixed in the Bouins's fluid, paraffin section were cut and stained with PAS-haematoxylin. Number of spermatids was counted from the transverse section of testes and corrected for errors. Spermatid population was found to decrease continuously up to day 28 after exposure at all the intervalls and dose levels studied in both the drug treated (experimental) and non-drug treated (control) animals. Experimental testes showed significantly higher spermatid population than their respective controls at all the dose levels and intervals studied. Higher spermatid population observed in the experimental groups may be attributed to the radioprotective effect of WR-2721. The degree of protection was higher at 8 Gy than at 3 and 6 Gy