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21 November 2009

Answer to Question #100 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Conception after exposures

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

What are the effects of x rays on spermatogenesis? My husband injured his tailbone and had x rays about five months ago. At the time, they told him "this is a lot of rads." Could this affect fertility? We have one child, but haven't had any luck with a second one, and I'm wondering if this could be why.

Presumably the x rays were taken for diagnostic purposes to determine if the tailbone sustained a fracture. If this is the case, the radiation dose to the testes (where sperm production takes place) would be small and effects on fertility would be unlikely. The exact dosage received in this case would depend upon the number of films taken, x-ray equipment settings, and whether any patient shielding was used. From studies in small animals, acute exposure to x rays of about 200 rad or more can result in reduction in sperm production. Diagnostic x-ray procedures (such as an examination of the tailbone) usually involve doses of the order of a few rad or less. Diagnostic x ray is not known to affect sperm production. Kenneth L. Mossman, PhD

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