Radiation-induced developmental anomalies in mammalian embryos by low doses and interaction with drugs, stress and genetic factors

The effect of low doses of radiation with different LET (140kV X-rays, negative pions and 15MeV electrons), as well as the interaction with drugs, genetic and stress factors, has been studied in rat and mouse embryos. Pregnant mice of two different strains (F/A and NMRI) and rats (Sprague-Dawley) were irradiated at day 8 or 9 of gestation. Four to five days after irradiation (with and without additional treatment) the foetuses were observed macro- and microscopically for developmental anomalies such as post-implantation loss, growth retardation, eye defects, exencephaly, cleft palate, and limb defects. In both mice strains it was found that a radiation dose as low as 1rad results in a significant increase in the rates of abnormal foetuses. Irradiation with peak pions (high LET) was more effective than 140kV X-rays or 15MeV electrons (RBE 1.4). Application of iodoacetamide and tetracyclines (Reverin, Ledermycin) before irradiation with X-rays led to a significant sensitization of radiation effects. The most impressive synergistic effect was shown with lucanthone (Miracil D) where the radiation damage after 50rads was multiplied almost fourfold. With smaller radiation doses the injection of lucanthone led to various degrees of sensitization depending on both the mouse strain (genetic factors) and dosage used. Besides chemical substances, a short time restraint of pregnant females represents a stress situation which was teratogenic in mice, and may enhance radiation and chemically induced developmental anomalies. Combinations of modifying factors with different radiation might deserve further attention. (author)