Biopolymers and cell. 1995; 11 (1): 5 - 19

THE GENETICAL EFFECT OF CHRONICAL IONIZING IRRADIATION IN LOW DOSES ON MICE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION

M. R. Stolina, A. P. Solomko

Publications dealing with the effect of low-dosed irradiation on the reproductive function of mice are briefly reviewed. The analysis of the embryogenetical data obtained on mice in model experiments with low doses of radiation, as well as in 30-km Chernobyl zone, made us to conclude that the resulting genetical effect of these doses is the instability of germ and somatic cells of embryos and adults. Different genetical abnormalities leading to the inhibition of reproductive function and the increasing of progeny death, are the result of induced karyotype instability. The discussion emphasizes on the new directions of such investigations.