Radioresponse of fetal testes of mice and its modification by MPG (2-mercaptopropionylglycine)

Radiosensitivity of the primordial germ cells and its protection was estimated from the surviving number of spermatids in the 6 weeks old testes of control and MPG-pretreated mice after intrauterine exposure to 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 Gy60Co gamma rays during fetal growth period. Radiosensitivity of fetal testes was found to increase with the advent of embryonic age. Quantitatively, significant protection in testes weight and spermatids count was registered in the MPG-pretreated animals at all the 3 dose levels studied.