Ultrastructural Analysis of Large Japanese Field Mouse () Testes Exposed to Low-Dose-Rate (LDR) Radiation After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Overview

Journal Biology (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Apr 26

PMID 38666851

Authors

Marta Gatti

Manuel Belli

Mariacarla De Rubeis

Syun Tokita

Hikari Ikema

Hideaki Yamashiro

Yohei Fujishima

Donovan Anderson

Valerie Swee Ting Goh

Hisashi Shinoda

Akifumi Nakata

Manabu Fukumoto

Tomisato Miura

Stefania Annarita Nottola

Guido Macchiarelli

Maria Grazia Palmerini

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, great attention has been paid to the impact of chronic low-dose-rate (LDR) radiation exposure on biological systems. The reproductive system is sensitive to radiation, with implications connected to infertility. We investigated the testis ultrastructure of the wild large Japanese field mouse () from three areas contaminated after the FDNPP accident, with different levels of LDR radiation (0.29 µSv/h, 5.11 µSv/h, and 11.80 µSv/h). Results showed good preservation of the seminiferous tubules, comparable to the unexposed animals (controls), except for some ultrastructural modifications. Increases in the numerical density of lipid droplet clusters in spermatogenic cells were found at high levels of LDR radiation, indicating an antioxidant activity rising due to radiation recovery. In all groups, wide intercellular spaces were found between spermatogenic cells, and cytoplasmic vacuolization increased at intermediate and high levels and vacuolated mitochondria at the high-level. However, these findings were also related to the physiological dynamics of spermatogenesis. In conclusion, the testes of exposed to LDR radiation associated with the FDNPP accident showed a normal spermatogenesis, with some ultrastructural changes. These outcomes may add information on the reproductive potential of mammals chronically exposed to LDR radiation.

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