A Cytogenetic Study of Korean Native Goats Bred near the Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

Cytogenetic and hematological analyses were performed on the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) obtained from Korean native goats bred on farms in two nuclear power plants (Wolsong and Uljin) and in a control area. The frequencies of gamma-ray-induced micronuclei (MN) in the cytokinesis-blocked (CB) lymphocytes were measured at several doses in three Korean native goats. The measurements performed after irradiation showed dose-related increases in the MN frequency in each of the donors. The results were analyzed using a linear-quadratic model with a line of best fit of y = 0.0093+ 0.1019D + 0.0045D^2 (y = number of MN/CB cells and D = irradiation dose in Gy). The MN rates in the goats from the Wolsong and Uljin nuclear power plants, and the control area were 9.60 ± 2.88, 6.83 ± 1.47 and 9.88 ± 4.32 per 1,000 CB lymphocytes, respectively. The apparent difference is not statistically significant. The MN frequencies of PBLs from goats bred in three areas means that the values are within the background variation in this experiment. The MN frequencies and hematological values were similar regardless of whether or not the goats were bred in a nuclear power plant.