[Estimation of genetic effects of chronic exposure to low-dose rate gamma-radiation by cytogenetic methods and DNA-comet assay]

Abstract

The study of genetic effects in CBA/lac mice exposed for 1 year to constant low dose-rate gamma-radiation at a dose-rate 63 cGy/year has been carried out. We have shown the significant increase in the DNA breaks' level in spleen lymphocytes by comet-assay beginning from the total absorbed dose of 20 cGy. It is possible that the DNA breaks' level increase resulted from the structural rearrangement of chromatin or induction of lymphocyte proliferation. The results obtained by micronucleus test have proved that the mutagenic effect of chronic low dose-rate gamma-radiation depends on cell type and respectively on cell proliferation rate, cell differentiation, etc. So, by the end of experiment the significant increase in the frequency of PCE with micronuclei (MN) was observed. However, in contrast, the frequency of NCE with MN was not increased. No significant increase in the percent of lung cells with MN was registered.