Radiobiology and Reproduction—What Can We Learn from Mammalian Females?

Abstract

Ionizing radiation damages DNA and induces mutations as well as chromosomal reorganizations. Although radiotherapy increases survival among cancer patients, this treatment does not come without secondary effects, among which the most problematic is gonadal dysfunction, especially in women. Even more, if radio-induced DNA damage occurs in germ cells during spermatogenesis and/or oogenesis, they can produce chromosomal reorganizations associated with meiosis malfunction, abortions, as well as hereditary effects. However, most of our current knowledge of ionizing radiation genotoxic effects is derived from in vitro studies performed in somatic cells and there are only some experimental data that shed light on how germ cells work when affected by DNA alterations produced by ionizing radiation. In addition, these few data are often related to mammalian males, making it difficult to extrapolate the results to females. Here, we review the current knowledge of radiobiology and reproduction, paying attention to mammalian females. In order to do that, we will navigate across the female meiotic/reproductive cycle/life taking into account the radiation-induced genotoxic effects analysis and animal models used, published in recent decades.

Protective role ofAloe veraagainst X-ray induced testicular dysfunction

“…Due to increasing use of ionising radiation in different fields like nuclear power plants, diagnostic nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, etc., germ cells are at risk which may cause interruption of spermatogenesis and male infertility (Ibrahim & Ghoneim, ; Kumar et al., ; Mehta, ). Also, the sensitivity of the female germ cell should be considered when evaluating the risk of transmission of genetic damage to the progeny after ovarian exposure to ionising radiation (Herrera et al, ). Exposure to ionising radiation can affect spermatids, spermatogonia and spermatocyte which may result in transgenerational genomic instability in the offspring (Khan et al, ).…”

Analysis of nuclear maturation, DNA damage and repair gene expression of bovine oocyte and cumulus cells submitted to ionizing radiation

“…To gain additional insights on IR effects on COCs the mRNA abundance of genes involved in HR and NHEJ pathways for DNA repair, as well as apoptosis gene was evaluated in cumulus cells. DNA DSB are mainly repaired through the HR and the NHEJ repair pathways ( Trenner and Sartori, 2019 ; Ruiz-Herrera et al, 2012 ). Mammalian oocytes express DNA repair genes and are capable of repairing DNA damage ( De Felici and Klinger, 2011 ; Barreta et al, 2012 ; Martin et al, 2019 ; Ménézo et al, 2010 ; Winship et al, 2018 ).…”