Myodes glareolus /
Bank vole
(February 10, 2016) Female voles are more susceptible to
cataracts than males
This year marks 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear
accident. Vast amounts of radioactive particles spread over large areas in
Europe. These particles, mostly Cesium-137, cause a low but long-term exposure
to ionizing radiation in animals and plants.
This chronic exposure has been shown to decrease the
abundances of many animal species both after the Chernobyl and later Fukushima
nuclear accidents. Damage caused by acute exposure to high radiation doses have
been demonstrated in numerous laboratory studies, but effects of chronic
exposure to low radiation in the wild remain largely unknown.
New research now suggests that chronic exposure to low
radiation can cause damage to the eyes of wild animals. This is shown in an
international study led by researchers Philipp Lehmann and Tapio Mappes from
the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, which recently was published in the
journal Scientific Reports.
In the study higher frequencies of cataracts were found in
the lenses of bank voles which had lived in areas where background radiation
levels were elevated compared to areas with natural radiation levels. Cataract
frequency increased with age in the voles, similarly as in humans generally. In
addition, the effects of aging intensified as a result of elevated radiation.
Interestingly the effect of radiation was significant only
in female voles. Also in humans there are indications for high radiosensitivity
of lenses. Persons with occupational exposure to radiation, such as radiology
nurses, nuclear power plant workers and airline pilots have increased risk of
cataract, but potential gender differences in radiosensitivity should be
further studied.