Spermatogenic and Mutagenic Damage after Paternal Exposure to Systemic Indium-114m

The cytotoxic and mutagenic consequences of systemic administration of|${}^{114{\rm m}}{\rm In}$| have been examined. Adult male rats were dosed intraperitoneally with 14.8 or 3.7 MBq/kg|${}^{114{\rm m}}{\rm In}$|. Approximately 0.25% of the injected radioactivity was localized within the testis by 24 h and was retained with an effective half-life of 49.5 days. Breeding studies were started 3 days after injection, males being housed with two females for seven consecutive mating trials of 19 days, separated by 2 days. Indium-114m caused a reduction in litter size and an increase in the incidence of pre- and postimplantation losses and dominant lethal mutations. These effects became evident from 24 days but were most marked between 87-126 days after treatment and persisted up to 147 days. When animals were mated 200 days after treatment, no significant changes were observed. In a parallel study, administration of 14.8 MBq/kg|${}^{114{\rm m}}{\rm In}$| resulted in decreased testis and epididymal weight and sperm reserves. Maximal reduction occurred between 87-108 days after injection followed by recovery toward control values, but neither organ had reached normal levels at 200 days. A single dose of 3.7 MBq/kg, however, had no effect on reproductive organ weight or sperm content. Male F₁ progeny from the 14.8 MBq/kg group of the second mating period (commencing at 24 days) displayed decreased testis weights and sperm content and provoked a higher incidence of dominant lethal mutations. This effect was not observed in male progeny from any other time or the alternative dose level.