Genetic disorders in mice exposed to radiation in the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear power station.

ABSTRACT

Induced reciprocal translocations in spermatocytes of mice, either caught or exposed at the site, were observed at all levels of radioactive contamination around the Chernobyl nuclear power station. The frequency of reciprocal translocations was relatively low and increased linearly with increasing dose rate. Among 74 male mice exposed as early embryos, four reciprocal translocation heterozygotes were found. Furthermore, an increase in embryonic mortality and frequency of abnormal sperm heads was observed after termination of exposure, but these decreased rapidly with post-exposure time.