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Medical Research Branch Division of Biology and Medicine Concerning the proposal by Carl HeUer titled, "Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Testicular Function of Man", I can say without hesitation that I find it extremely interesting. has developed a potential source of research material that is essentially incomparable. Dr.-and I have discussed the proposal in detail and Dr. w i l l write you about the endocrinology aspects of the project whereas I shall limit my remarks generally to all other aspects. I would like to offer the following comments concerning the proposal: I feel that Dr. Heller 1. The use of a 120 o r 140 kvp x-ray therapy machine even on objects the thickness of a testicle as far as we a r e concerned presents a definite problem of which the investigators no doubt, a r e aware. The penetration from a low energy beam such as this would be greatly reduced even in the size structure to be irradiated. Accordng to our calculations the dose could be reduced as much as 60% in an object the size of a testicle. This could be alleviated some by irradiating from two sides of the testicle. The section in which the testicles a r e to be irradiated only in part ( I cm diameter a r e a s etc. ) would present a different problem. Unless the biopsy was evaluated only at the surface the dose received would vary considerably as the depth of the tissue under study increased. We would strongly urge use of an x-ray machine that could produce a more penetrating beam particularily in a study offering this much potential
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2. Since this project has many aspects that a r e similar to the study we have been performing on possible would be most desirable. It would be most interesting if the semen from the irradiated individuals could be examined periodically in the same manner as the bulls and with the biopsies that a r e proposed there is a great potential for correlation of the two studies in the bull and man. It is understood that the individuals a r e to have vasectomies at sometime during the experiment. If, as many a s possible of these could be delayed until the termination of the experiment this would allow the suggested periodic semen examination on possibly more individuals. as close a correlation as A second point to consider is the effect of vasectomy upon normal semen production, even though it is thought little effect .is produced, I feel strongly that it would be much more desirable to wait until the end of the experiment to vasectomize the subjects. I would like to state again that I am most enthusiastic about this research, I feel that with other studies that we a r e familiar with, as well as our own, that this type of work would certainly help to round out the total picture of the effects of ionizing irradiation in general on testicular damage. My best personal regards.