The influence of maternal age on radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in mouse oocytes.
The relative sensitivities of dictyate oocytes from young and old female mice to radiation-induced chromosome damage were examined in 2 separate experiments. Firstly, females were given either 2 or 4 Gy of X-rays and metaphase I stage oocytes collected 16.5 days later. Analysis of these cells showed dose-related increases in chromosome aberrations in both age groups. The response was significantly greater in oocytes of older females. In the second experiment, females were given 4 Gy of X-rays and metaphase I stage oocytes collected 3.5 days later. Again, a significantly larger frequency of aberrations was present in cells from older animals. Overall, these 2 experiments provide unambiguous evidence that the radiosensitivity of mouse dictyate oocytes increases with advancing maternal age.
Tease
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C
M.R.C. Radiobiology Unit, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, Great Britain.
Fisher
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G
D000818:Animals; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D008423:Maternal Age; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects