SREL Reprint #3578

Effects of chronic low-dose radiation on cataract prevalence and characterization in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Fukushima, Japan

Samantha L. Pederson1, Margaret C. Li Puma1, Joshua M. Hayes2, Kei Okuda3,
Christopher M. Reilly4, James C. Beasley5, Lance C. Li Puma6, Thomas G. Hinton3,
Thomas E. Johnson2, and Kate S. Freeman1

1Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
2Environmental Radiological and Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
3Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan
4Insight Veterinary Specialty Pathology, Davis, California, United States
5Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources,
University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, United States
6Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Abstract: This study evaluated cataracts in wild boar exposed to chronic low-dose radiation. We examined wild boar from within and outside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone for nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataracts in vivo and photographically. Plausible upper-bound, lifetime radiation dose for each boar was estimated from radioactivity levels in each animal’s home range combined with tissue concentrations of 134+137Cesium. Fifteen exposed and twenty control boar were evaluated. There were no signifcant diferences in overall prevalence or score for cortical or PSC cataracts between exposed and control animals. Nuclear (centrally located) cataracts were signifcantly more prevalent in exposed boar (p<0.05) and had statistically higher median scores. Plausible upper-bound, lifetime radiation dose ranged from 1 to 1,600 mGy in exposed animals, with no correlation between dose and cortical or PSC score. While radiation dose and nuclear score were positively associated, the impact of age could not be completely separated from the relationship. Additionally, the clinical signifcance of even the highest scoring nuclear cataract was negligible. Based on the population sampled, wild boar in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone do not have a signifcantly higher prevalence or risk of cortical or PSC cataracts compared to control animals.

SREL Reprint #3578

Pederson, S. L., M. C. Li Puma, J. M. Hayes, K. Okuda, C. M. Reilly, J. C. Beasley, L. C. Li Puma, T. G. Hinton, T. E. Johnson, and K. S. Freeman. 2020. Effects of chronic low-dose radiation on cataract prevalence and characterization in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Fukushima, Japan. Scientific Reports 10, 4055. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59734-5.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).