[Comparative morphological analysis of peripheral endocrine glands in small mammals inhabiting areas with high levels of radioactive pollutants and exposed to chronic irradiation in laboratory experiments].

The comparative study of cellular-tissue reactions in endocrine organs (thyroid and suprarenal glands, ovary) of rodents exposed to radiation in natural conditions (Radium station in Komi Republic and 30-km zone of Chernobyl APP) and experimental conditions modeling the chronic exposure has been conducted. There is evidence that chronic irradiation in low doses causes morphological disorders in different levels of structural organization (cellular-tissue, organism and population levels). The experimental results showed that observed variations in thyroid, suprarenal glands and ovary by morphometric parameters reflect the natural changes in their functional activity (within the physiological limits). These changes are directed at the homeostasis maintenance in changed conditions and have a compensatory and adaptation character. The effects of low dose radiation influence with combination of other agents may be amplified at the cellular-tissue reactions level. In comparison with experimental results, the natural conditions (high level of radioactivity with alpha- and beta-emitters, high natural radionuclides, toxic elements and extreme climatic factors) induce more expressed changes as a significant increasing of chromosomal and genes mutations in cells, destructive processes in organs of endocrine system and disorders of reproductive functions.