Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in somatic and germ cells of the male marmoset.

The induction of chromosome aberrations by low LET radiations was studied in peripheral lymphocytes and spermatogonial stem cells of the male marmoset. The data showed that there was not significant difference in the sensitivity of the lymphocytes whether they were irradiated in vitro or in vivo, but the frequency of heritable translocations recovered in the primary spermatocytes were considerably lower than that calculated to occur in the lymphocytes. The data are used to make estimates of human genetic risk from radiation based on limited interspecific comparisons.