This study involved the irradiation of mouse embryos at different stages of
pregnancy, using dose of ٤ Gy γ-radiation, at ١٠, ١٢, ١٤ and ١٦ days of
pregnancy. Pregnant mice were killed after ٢, ٤ and ٦ days post irradiation.
Embryo’s heads were is
olated and serial cross sections were made to
investigate the effect of irradiation on the different components of the eye at
different periods of eye organogenesis.
It was proved from this study that irradiation causes microphtalmia and
decrease in the growth of lens, retina and corneal stroma, as well severe
disruption in its development and disfigurement in its hitogenesis. These
defects have shown great differences in their severity according to the age of
embryos at exposure and the number of days post irradiation.
