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Evidence relevant to untargeted and transgenerational effects in the offspring of irradiated parents

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 15:29 authored by Mark P Little, Dudley T Goodhead, Bryn A Bridges, Simon D Bouffler
In this article we review health effects in offspring of human populations exposed as a result of radiotherapy and some groups exposed to chemotherapy. We also assess risks in offspring of other radiation-exposed groups, in particular those of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors and occupationally and environmentally exposed groups. Experimental findings are also briefly surveyed. Animal and cellular studies tend to suggest that the irradiation of males, at least at high doses (mostly 1 Gy and above), can lead to observable effects (including both genetic and epigenetic) in the somatic cells of their offspring over several generations that are not attributable to the inheritance of a simple mutation through the parental germline. However, studies of disease in the offspring of irradiated humans have not identified any effects on health. The available evidence therefore suggests that human health has not been significantly affected by transgenerational effects of radiation. It is possible that transgenerational effects are restricted to relatively short times post-exposure and in humans conception at short times after exposure is likely to be rare. Further research that may help resolve the apparent discrepancies between cellular/animal studies and studies of human health are outlined.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research

ISSN

1383-5742

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

1

Volume

753

Page range

50-67

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Centre for Genome Damage Stability Publications

Notes

GDSC412

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-08-07

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