Abstract
Ratio of reciprocal translocations vs. dicentrics was examined in 3 Gy X-irradiated lymphocytes. 123 reciprocal translocations and 105 dicentrics were detected in 948 metaphases by dual analyses of conventional Giemsa staining and chromosome painting (Nos. 2 and 4 were painted). The numbers of translocations and dicentrics originated from 2 chromosomes both of which consisted of a larger centric segment and a smaller acentric fragment were 89 and 86. They were statistically not different. Those originated from a pair consisting of a smaller centric segment and a larger acentric fragment were 4 and 3. They were too few for statistical analysis. Those originated from a heteromorphic pair (larger centric + smaller acentric and smaller centric + larger acentric) were 30 and 16. The yield of translocations was significantly higher than that of dicentrics. The larger (smaller) centric segments tended to join with the larger (smaller) acentric fragments, that resulted in more translocations in the irradiated lymphocytes. [J Radiat Res 44:401 (2003)]
