The effects of negative pions on spermatogonial survival in the mouse.
A study of the radiation effects of pi-mesons on the testes of the mouse has been carried out using the pion beam at the SRC Rutherford Laboratory. The cell killing effects on type B and intermediate spermatogonia have been assessed and compared with the effects of 20-0 kVp X rays, delivered at the same dose rate. It was found that not only did irradiation of the testes not disturb the kinetics of spermatogenesis, but also the RBE for pions measured in the Bragg peak and on the plateau was not significantly different from unity. The comparison of this result with those of others using other pion beams is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004601:Elementary Particles; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000528:radiation effects*