Comparison of sister chromatid exchange induction in murine germinal and somatic cells by gamma radiation exposure in vivo.

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction by gamma rays was determined in spermatogonia irradiated before or after BrdU incorporation. Furthermore, the comparison of responses obtained in spermatogonia, bone marrow and salivary gland cells was carried out in the cells irradiated after BrdU incorporation, a condition which permits a higher SCE induction. Results indicate that gamma ray exposure of spermatogonia could induce a significant increase in SCE frequency with doses as low as 0.27 Gy, either before or after BrdU incorporation. However, the increase caused by radiation exposure after BrdU incorporation in spermatogonia was nearly three times lower than that obtained in both bone marrow and salivary gland cells. These data suggest that spermatogonia are either more efficient in repairing the gamma ray-induced lesions involved in SCE production or that these cells are less prone to the induction of such lesions.