title: Postnatal survival and growth of mouse irradiated in utero with low dose.
abstract: In order to investigate radiation risks associated with low dose and low dose-rates, pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to gamma rays, 0.80 Gy from a cobalt-60 source at two different dose-rates (0.0795 and 0.0012 Gy/min) on 18 day post conception. In females exposed to lower dose-rate (0.0012 Gy/min), litter size was found to be decreased, while those exposed to higher dose-rate (0.0795 Gy/min), it remained unaltered. In both groups, appearance of fur and development of complete fur were delayed, whereas gait was delayed only in higher dose-rate group. Male offspring exhibited a biphasic mode of weight loss, while female offspring after an initial weight loss at 1 week, displayed a continuous recovery, but could not attain the normal weight till 12 weeks of age. It appears that higher dose-rate is more effective in delaying the appearance of physiological markers and weight loss, while in terms of litter size lower dose-rate (0.0012 Gy/min) is more effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jauhari
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Nandchahal
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Dev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate