Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 23;6:23601. doi: 10.1038/srep23601.
Abstract
The
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident that occurred
after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 released large
quantities of radionuclides to the environment. The long-term effects of
radioactive cesium (Cs) on biota are of particular concern. We
investigated the accumulation of radioactive Cs derived from the FDNPP
accident, and chronic effects of environmental radionuclides on male
reproduction, in the large Japanese field mouse
(Apodemus speciosus). In 2013 and 2014, wild mice were captured at 2
sites in Fukushima Prefecture and at 2 control sites that were distant
from Fukushima. Although the median concentrations of (134)Cs and
(137)Cs in the mice from Fukushima exceeded 4,000 Bq/kg, there were no
significant differences in the apoptotic cell frequencies or the
frequencies of morphologically abnormal sperm among the capture sites.
Thus, we conclude that radiation did not cause substantial male
subfertility in Fukushima during 2013 and 2014, and radionuclide
pollution levels in the study sites would not be detrimental to
spermatogenesis of the wild mice in Fukushima.
- PMID:
- 27005329
- PMCID:
- PMC4804236
- DOI:
- 10.1038/srep23601
- [PubMed - in process]
