title: Short communication: effects of X-rays on growth and germinal tissue of calves.
abstract: A study was carried out to measure the growth and germinal tissue responses of young bull calf whose testicles were exposed to different levels of high energy, pulsed beams (X rays). Treatments (absorbed doses) were 0, 1530, 1980, 3060, or 6300 rads. Body weights were measured monthly for 10 mo; testosterone concentrations were measured in mo 2 and 5. At the end of the study, scrotal circumferences were measured, and testes were removed and weighed. Sections of testes were taken, processed, and evaluated for effects on germinal epithelium. Treatments did not affect body weights or weight gains. Testosterone concentrations at mo 5 generally decreased with increased energy dose. Testicular weights were not different among treatments; generally, scrotal circumferences decreased and germinal tissue degeneration increased as the absorbed dose was increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA. belyear@missouri.edu
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Belyea
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mesyats
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Filatov
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Clevenger
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Youngquist
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D002417:Cattle; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D008297:Male; D012611:Scrotum / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone