HPS masthead
search
What's New?
. April Newsletter
. April Journal
Upcoming Events
. 2010 Summer Professional Development School
Internal Dosimetry
23 - 26 June 2010
Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
. International Conference on Radiation Protection in Medicine
1-3 September 2010
Varna, Bulgaria
. 2010 Meeting of the Air Monitoring Users Group
4-7 May 2010
Las Vegas, NV
20 March 2010

Answer to Question #2989 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Conception after exposures

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

I am a nuclear power plant worker (age 38) and I am exposed to radiation on an intermittent basis. My wife and I are considering pregnancy and are worried about the effects of radiation on sperm. In the last couple of weeks I have received a dose of around 20 mrem. Is this something that should cause us to postpone fertilization attempts?

A

Thank you for your inquiry about the reproductive risks of radiation to your sperm before your wife becomes pregnant. Preconception radiation risks have been studied in two large populations, women and men who have been treated for cancer and have mothered or fathered a child, and the Atomic Bomb survivors. Both of these populations have been extensively studied and in neither population is there an increase in reproductive risks, although theoretically one would expect an increased risk of genetic abnormalities.

Based on the theoretical risks we advise women who have had their ovaries exposed to radiation to wait for three menstrual cycles before attempting to become pregnant. Men who have been exposed should wait at least two spermatogenesis cycles, which is about four months. In your case the exposure is so low, that it really does not matter. A dose of 20 mrem is very low from the standpoint of genetic risks.

I wish you and your wife well in your future pregnancies. Remember that every man and women with a normal personal and genetic family reproductive history has the background reproductive risks which is 3% for birth defects and 15% for miscarriage. We cannot change those risks, as yet.

Robert Brent, MD, PhD

Answer posted on 6 October 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
Home Affiliates Ask the Experts Radiation Terms Employment Meetings