The adaptive response and protection against heritable mutations and fetal malformation

Abstract

It is known that exposure of pregnant females to high doses of radiation can cause death or malformation (teratogenesis) in developing fetuses. Malformation can only occur during a specialized stage of organ formation known as organogenesis. Studies in rodents show that radiation-induced fetal death and malformation can be significantly reduced when a pregnant female is exposed to a prior low dose of ionizing radiation. The mechanism of this protective effect, through an adaptive response, depends on the stage of organogenesis when the low dose exposures are delivered. This presentation will introduce the audience to fetal effects of ionizing radiation and explain the critical stages of development when fetuses are at risk. We will show research that investigates the biological and genetic systems that protect the developing fetus and discuss the role of low dose radiation adaptive response in these processes.