Radiation protection of mouse testes with 2-mercaptopropionylglycine

The histopathological changes in the testes of adult Swiss albino mice exposed to a sublethal dose (500 R) of gamma rays after an intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg body-weight of 2-mercaptopropionylgycine (MPG) were studied. The results have been compared with those obtained from animals irradiated with the same dose of gamma rays in the absence of drug. It was found that the drug delayed the disappearance of male germ cells and accelerated the regeneration of seminiferous epithelium when administered 15-30 minutes before irradiation. Histopathological changes were of much lesser degree in comparison to control. These results are discussed in the light of relevant literature. (auth.)