Radiomodifying effect of camphor on the spermatogonia of mice

Camphor has been reported to exhibit radiomodifying properties for bacteria and solid tumours of mice. Therefore its radiomodifying effect was evaluated in the testis which is a less vascularised and hypoxic tissue. Young adult strain 'A' male mice were taken up for these studies. Camphor was administered at the rate of 0.1 mg/g body weight intraperitoneally and whole body irradiation was done after 45 minutes under normal aerated conditions. Doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Gy were delivered to different groups with the help of 60Co gamma cell. Testicular germ cell renewal system which seems to be a very good model system for the study of chemical radiomodifier was used for this assay. Resting primary spermatocytes (RPS) were counted at different time intervals and comparison was made among different treatment groups and controls. It was observed that RPS counts significantly declined in radiation + camphor treated groups in comparison to radiation alone or control groups. Radiomodifying effect of camphor was significantly evident during the recovery period, i.e., on day 8 after 0.5 Gy irradiation and day 6 onward after 1.0 Gy and 2.0 Gy.