Oocyte Depopulation Pattern in Adult Indian Desert Gerbil Exposed to Internally Deposited 32P, 60Co and 45Ca

Present communication reports the quantitative changes in the oocyte population of adult Indian desert gerbil (Meriones hurrianae) exposed to internally deposited 32P, 60Co and 45Ca. The nuclides were administered intraperitonially at the dose levels, in each case, of 5.55 kBq, 11.1 kBq, 18.5 kBq, 37 kBq and 74 kBq per gram body weight and the animals were sacrificed at the intervals of 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days. The depletion of oocyte population was dependent, in case of each nuclide, upon the dose administered as well as the time lapsed after the treatment. 32P and 60Co were more effective in damaging the oocytes than was 45Ca. However, histological sterility was not produced by any of these nuclides.