Sperm shape abnormalities in mice exposed to californium-252 radiation.

Male mice of the B6C3F1 hybrid strain were whole-body irradiated with different doses of 252Cf/60Co. They were killed 35 days later and spermatozoa from cauda epididymides were stained with eosin-Y. The air-dried smears were examined under light microscope for sperm shape abnormalities. There was an increase in the frequency of abnormal sperm in all the treated groups compared to controls. The RBE for the mixed neutron and gamma radiation of 252Cf was 2.6. The RBE for the neutron component was 3.4. The increased frequency of abnormal sperm was associated with a concomitant decrease in testis weight in the irradiated animals.