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Hypophysectomy exerts a radioprotective effect on frog lens
Experientia
|January 15, 1980
Summary
X-ray exposure causes frog cataracts by disrupting meridional rows (MR). Halting cell division prevents this disruption, suggesting mitosis drives X-ray-induced cataract formation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Radiation Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- X-ray exposure is a known cause of cataracts in frogs.
- Cataract formation is preceded by the misalignment of meridional rows (MR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell division in X-ray-induced cataractogenesis in frogs.
- To determine if mitosis is essential for the disruption of meridional rows (MR) following irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Frogs were exposed to X-rays.
- Cell division was halted in some frogs using hypophysectomy.
- The orientation of meridional rows (MR) was observed after irradiation in both groups.
Main Results:
- Irradiation typically caused misalignment of meridional rows (MR), preceding cataract formation.
- In frogs where cell division was halted, X-ray exposure did not disturb MR orientation.
- This indicates that mitosis is critical for the X-ray-induced MR disruption.
Conclusions:
- Radiocataractogenesis in frogs is dependent on mitosis.
- The formation of pathological lens fibers from abnormal epithelial cells, driven by mitosis, is the likely mechanism.
- Disruption of meridional rows (MR) is a key, mitosis-dependent event in X-ray-induced cataracts.