Effect of whole-body x-irradiation on the morphogenesis of rat deciduoma

Exposure of rats to whole-body X-irradiation (600 R) within 30 minutes of artificial induction of deciduoma resulted in impaired growth of deciduoma involving both endometrium and myometrium. Protein synthesis in endometrium was low 2 days after X-irradiation when compared with unirradiated controls. In addition, levels of RNA and DNA were low in the endometrium of irradiated rats. Development of metrial gland was inhibited in the irradiated rats. The number and morphology of antimesometrial and mesometrial decidual cells were altered in the irradiated animals. Endometrial and myometrial soluble proteins of irradiated rats resolved into fewer bands than those of unirradiated animals.