| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2146491 | Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis | 2012 | 5 Pages |
The long-term genetic effects of maternal irradiation remain poorly understood. To establish the effects of radiation exposure on mutation induction in the germline of directly exposed females and the possibility of transgenerational effects in their non-exposed offspring, adult female BALB/c and CBA/Ca mice were given 1 Gy of acute X-rays and mated with control males. The frequency of mutation at expanded simple tandem repeat (ESTR) loci in the germline of directly exposed females did not differ from that of controls. Using a single-molecule PCR approach, ESTR mutation frequency was also established for both germline and somatic tissues in the first-generation offspring of irradiated parents. While the frequency of ESTR mutation in the offspring of irradiated males was significantly elevated, maternal irradiation did not affect stability in their F1 offspring. Considering these data and the results of our previous study, we propose that, in sharp contrast to paternal exposure to ionising radiation, the transgenerational effects of maternal high-dose acute irradiation are likely to be negligible.
► Adult irradiation does not affect ESTR mutation rate in the maternal germline. ► Paternal irradiation destabilises the genomes of non-exposed offspring. ► Maternal irradiation does not affect stability of their offspring.
