Effects of Neutron Irradiation on Spermatogenesis in Man

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EFFECTS OF NEUTRON IRRADIATION ON SPERMATOGENESIS IN MAN * Hanford Laboratories Operation at the time the study started. I This study involves causing controlled neutron irijury to the testes of human volunteers t o determine how vulnerable is testicular tissue and its physiology t o neutron irradiation. I n April 1962, a critical it y accident a t Hanford Atomic Products Operation exposed three men t o mixed gamma. and neutron radiation fields, which, according to clinical observations made by Dr. C. Alvin Paulsen (Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Washington) affected spermatogenesis, chromosome morphology, and pituitary gonadal control. These ObSerVatiQnS were made at .dose levels expected t o be below the limit of biological ohseyvation: there . were no other observed effects elsewhere inthe body, further controlled research by the University of Washington of which the present study is apart. An AEC grant was sought and obtained by t h e University of Washington t o support the research of Dr. C. Alvin Paulsen who is the senior investigator and who will perform the clinical studies necessary t o evaluate biological response of the tissue. providing neutron dosimetry constituted a significant portion of the program Developing a suitable irradiation facility and i n an area where D r . Paulsen needed assistance. Proper neutron dosimetry is felt to be crucial in the success of the experiments. directed the Radiological Physics Unit of Pacific Northwest Laboratories" t o assist i n these two areas: 1) facility development, 2) pertinent dosimetry.

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This assistance was made apart of the regular program of the Radiological on July 9, 1963 and has been covered by schedule 189.since t h a t date. of Washington purchased a neutron generator which was with prototype shielding, at Pacific Northwest Laboratory Pilot studies of the required shielding were made and the most effective use of the generator was determined: the facility was then moved t o Walla Walla. 1: .: (The volunteers aye inmates of were developed by the Radiological Physics Unit. .,-1 The present status of BNW's part of the program i s the-following: the neutron generator is installed at Walla Walla and is i n working order. Final ' details of the shielding and irradiation facility have been worked out, calibrations and measurement of dose distributions are completed using man equivalent phantoms: the first irradiation of volunteers can begin at any time. It is presently anticipated that a Bat tell e Northwest employee will be present during the time a volunteer is irradiated. Necessary medical-legal arrangements for use of volunteer subjects have been negotiated by Dr. Paulsen and reviewed by the University Hospital Clinical Investigation Committee of t h e University of Washington. (To be acceptable as a volunteer the convict must submit toa vasectomy immediately upon the comple tion of his participation in the project and before his prison sentence i s completed). I n order forDr. Paulsen t o obtain a license for tritium targets for the neutron generator, the project came under the jurisdiction of the Radition Safety and Radioisotope Committee of the University of Washington.

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Also, a Division of Biology and Medicine of the AEC has periodically held program reviews; the most recent was the December 1965, attended by 8invited scientist from ORNL, University of Utah, and t h e University of Rochester and McGill, Colorado State and Columbia Universities, Dartmouth Medical School, Albert Einstein Medical Center, and t h e National Academy of Science. on December 14 and 1 5 of 1967. The AEC will hold another review Past and continued participation in this project raises problems of legal liability and public relations for Bat tell e Northwest. Oy tontinued part ici pat jon I. will associate Battelle Northwest with their radiations. We are presently ' committed t o continue under existing programs. The Radiation Safety and Radioisotope Committee of t h e University of I . Washington has reviewed the project and imposed the following restrictions : The maximum neutron dose tothe center of the test ical sisto be limited No more than 20 volunteer subjects areto be irradiated in this course of neutron exposure studies. Mannequin studies will be made to establish the pattern of neutron dose distribution in other nearby organs. Radiation Safety an$ Radioisotopes Committee f o r review before proceeding with human exposure. ments referred to earlier). Irradiation of human subjects isto be completed within one year of the approval of the mannequin studies. This data will be submitted tothe Twenty healthy volunteers between t h e ages of 21 and 45 whose sentences w i l l I exceed the experiment period by 5 years will be recruited by the University of I Washington with the assistance of the medical director of the Washington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla. The aims of t h e experiment and i t s implication

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with respect to local injury and in the future to fertility will be discussed and documented with each volunteer. est ab lishe d . A schedule of stipends for service's has been It should be emphasized that this research project was originated by University of Washington staff people and is being c a r r i e d out by them. Under a directive from the AEC,,Battelle Northwest is assisting.