[Induction of genetic damage by incorporated 238Pu in the germ cells of male mice].

Frequency of dominant lethal mutation, occurrence of spermatozoa with abnormal heads, and changes in the testis mass were studied after the administration to mice of 238Pu in doses from 7 to 1850 Bq/g. The frequency of genetic lesions in the testis was not a function of alpha-radiation dose. The rate of the testis mass decrease was a linear function of the dose absorbed. RBE of 238Pu-alpha-radiation, as determined by the incidence of abnormal spermatozoa heads and by the changes in the testis mass, was from 14 to 35 with regard to the chronic effect of gamma-radiation.