Impact of WR-2721 on X-ray induced alterations in germ cells of male mouse

Studies were conducted to establish the biochemical and pharmacological effects of W-2721 after irradiation in the mouse tests for up to 30 days of irradiation. Adult mice were irradiated with 3, 6, and 8 Gy of /sup 60/Co gamma rays with and without pretreatment by WR-2721 at a dose rate of 400 mg/kg body weight. Animals were sacrificed at different postirradiation days to estimate the amount of DNA, RNA, and total proteins per gram of tissue. It was observed that the radiation affected the amount of nucleic acids and proteins adversely, inversely depending on the dose. The maximum postirradiation decrease was recorded for the RNA content, while the minimum decrease was observed in total proteins. The WR-2721-treated testes showed greater amount of nucleic acids and proteins at all the intervals studied at different dose levels, when compared to the testes which were not treated with the drug.<>