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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 BoufflerIn 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 ResearchISSN
1383-5742Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
753Page range
50-67Department affiliated with
- Sussex Centre for Genome Damage Stability Publications
Notes
GDSC412Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes