Effects of gamma-radiation on the differentiation of mouse melanocytes in the hair follicles.
Pregnant mice were whole-body irradiated with a single acute dose of gamma-rays (60Co) to investigate the effect of gamma-radiation on embryonic melanoblasts. The effect was studied by scoring changes in the differentiation of melanocytes in the hair follicles of mice heterozygous for the recessive coat color mutation pink-eyed dilution (p). Abnormal round melanocytes were found in the hair matrix and the dermal papilla of F1 offspring 3.5 days after birth. However, these round melanocytes possessed a melanin deposition of similar intensity to normal hair follicular melanocytes. The frequency of the abnormal hair follicles increased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, higher frequencies were found in the animals irradiated at earlier stages of embryonic development. These results indicate that gamma-radiation affects dendritogenesis and the location of mouse melanocytes in the hair follicles, with greater effects seen at the earlier stages of development.
Hirobe
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T
Division of Biology, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan.
Zhou
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D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000528:radiation effects; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006197:Hair / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000528:radiation effects; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes