In vivo effects of iron-55 and iron-59 on mouse testes: biophysical dosimetry of Auger electrons.
When the Auger-electron emitter, 55Fe, and the beta-emitter, 59Fe, are similarly distributed in the testes of mice, the conventionally calculated average radiation dose to the organ from 55Fe is about 2.6 times more effective in reducing the sperm-head count than the dose from 59Fe. This finding emphasizes the ability of low-energy Auger electrons to damage radiosensitive targets of cells through localized irradiation. The observed efficacy is understandable in terms of dosimetric models based on intracellular distribution studies of the radionuclides.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004583:Electrons; D006207:Half-Life; D007504:Iron Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D013087:Spermatids / Q000528:radiation effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000528:radiation effects*
D007504:Iron Radioisotopes