Induction of a germline mutation at a hypervariable mouse minisatellite locus by 252Cf radiation.

Male C3H/HeN mice were exposed to 252Cf radiation and mated with unirradiated C57BL/6N females. F1 mice were analyzed for germline mutation at the paternally derived C3H/HeN allele of a hypervariable minisatellite locus, Ms6hm. This locus exhibited a high frequency of length change mutation spontaneously, and the mutation frequency of the paternally derived C3H/He allele in F1 mice born to unirradiated males was 8.4%. Exposure of male mice to 252Cf radiation resulted in even higher frequency of germline mutation. The spermatid stage germ cells were most sensitive to neutrons, and the mutation frequencies of the paternal allele were elevated to 18%, 26% and 24% for 0.35, 0.7 and 1.02 Gy of 252Cf radiation, respectively. Spermatozoa and spermatogonia stages were less sensitive and the mutation frequencies for 1.02 Gy of 252Cf radiation were 16% and 19%, respectively. The 252Cf radiation consisted of 35% gamma-rays and 65% neutrons. Assuming that these two radiations act additively, RBE of 252Cf neutrons for the induction of minisatellite mutation was calculated to be 5.9 for spermatozoa stage irradiation, 2.6 for spermatid stage irradiation and 6.5 for spermatogonia irradiation.