title: Germline minisatellite mutations in workers occupationally exposed to radiation at the Sellafield nuclear facility.
abstract: Germline minisatellite mutation rates were investigated in male workers occupationally exposed to radiation at the Sellafield nuclear facility. DNA samples from 160 families with 255 offspring were analysed for mutations at eight hypervariable minisatellite loci (B6.7, CEB1, CEB15, CEB25, CEB36, MS1, MS31, MS32) by Southern hybridisation. No significant difference was observed between the paternal mutation rate of 5.0% (37 mutations in 736 alleles) for control fathers with a mean preconceptional testicular dose of 9 mSv and that of 5.8% (66 in 1137 alleles) for exposed fathers with a mean preconceptional testicular dose of 194 mSv. Subgrouping the exposed fathers into two dose groups with means of 111 mSv and 274 mSv revealed paternal mutation rates of 6.0% (32 mutations in 536 alleles) and 5.7% (34 mutations in 601 alleles), respectively, neither of which was significantly different in comparisons with the rate for the control fathers. Maternal mutation rates of 1.6% (12 mutations in 742 alleles) for the partners of control fathers and 1.7% (19 mutations in 1133 alleles) for partners of exposed fathers were not significantly different. This study provides evidence that paternal preconceptional occupational radiation exposure does not increase the germline minisatellite mutation rate and therefore refutes suggestions that such exposure could result in a destabilisation of the germline that can be passed on to future generations.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research (CIGMR), Centre for Epidemiology, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK. Formerly of Westlakes Research Institute4Westlakes Research Institute closed in 2010., Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria, CA24 3LN, UK.
authors.forename: E Janet
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Tawn
authors.forename: Gillian B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Curwen
authors.forename: Gwen S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jonas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018812:Paternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011847:Radioactive Fallout