Radioprotection by MPG of Mice Ovaries Exposed to Sublethal Gamma Radiation Doses at Different Postnatal Ages

Abstract

Female Swiss albino mice were exposed at 1, 3 or 6 weeks of age respectively to sublethal doses (0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 Gy) of gamma radiation in the presence or absence of 2—mercaptopropionyl-glycine (MPG). Ovaries were histologically examined at different intervals after irradiation and the follicles were counted. Most follicular depletion had occurrred already at postirradiation day 1 and the depletion then gradually continued. At day 35 after irradiation a few follicles could still be found in mice exposed at I week of age while all follicles were eliminated in mice exposed at 3 and 6 weeks of age. In MPG-treated animals the depletion of follicles was significantly less pronounced and obviously MPG to some degree protected the ovaries from radiation damage.