What effect can occur at a dose of 10 rad in terms of reproductive health?

At a dose of 10 rad, suppressed menstruation is a recognized potential effect on reproductive health. This dose is sufficient to impact the functioning of the endocrine system, particularly affecting hormonal balance. In women, radiation exposure at this level can lead to disruptions in the menstrual cycle, resulting in irregular or missed periods.

This impact is primarily due to the sensitivity of the ovaries to radiation. The ovarian follicles that produce hormones and are responsible for ovulation can be adversely affected by radiation exposure, leading to altered menstrual patterns. While higher doses can cause more severe effects, such as permanent sterility or significant fertility issues, 10 rad can still result in temporary suppression of menstruation, making it an important consideration in assessing reproductive health risks associated with radiation exposure.

In contrast, other options either indicate effects that are less likely to occur at this dose or do not align with the biological response expected from radiation exposure. For example, 10 rad is unlikely to lead to increased fertility or permanent sterility in most cases, and the possibility of having no effect does not hold, given the known sensitivity of reproductive tissues to radiation in this dose range.