Radiotoxicity of thallium-201 in mouse testes: inadequacy of conventional dosimetry.
When TI-201 is concentrated in mouse testes, the low-energy Auger electrons following its electron-capture decay are found to be much more effective in causing loss of testicular weight and reduction of sperm heads than the energetic beta particles from similarly distributed TI-204. These results are contrary to expectations based on conventional dosimetry of tissue-incorporated radionuclides, and point to possible underestimation of risks by the currently adopted dosimetric procedures, especially in the case of radionuclides decaying by electron capture and internal conversion.
D000818:Animals; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005373:Film Dosimetry; D006207:Half-Life; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000528:radiation effects; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013793:Thallium / Q000009:adverse effects*
D011868:Radioisotopes; D013793:Thallium