GENETIC EFFECTS OF GAMMA-IRRADIATION ON EGG PRODUCTION AND ADULT EMERGENCE OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Genetics (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4087857

Touchberry, R W; DeFries, J C

Newly emerged male and female flies from one inbred and one randombred population were subjected to 0, 500, 1000, or 1500 r of gamma-radiation and then mated in all possible combinations within populations, resulting in a four x four factorial arrangement of treatments. Daily egg production over a ten-day period was determined from two replicated experiments for the treated flies, their untreated progeny (Generation 1) and grand-progeny (Generation 2). Generation 2 resulted from full-sib matings of members of Generation 1. Eggs laid each day which resulted in viable adults were determined for Generations 1, 2, and 3 (Generation 3 resulting from two generations of full-sib mating). Mean daily egg production was not significantly affected by irradiating males or females with 1500 r or less of gamma rays; however irradiation of the female parent with 2000 r or more of x rays had a marked depressing effect on egg production. Irradiation of the male parent did not affect egg production appreciably. The partial linear and quadratic regression coefficients of daily egg production on day of oviposition for each pair of flies indicated no significant differences associated with levels of irradiation of males or females. Large linear depressing effects associated with irradiation of both male and female parents were found in Generation 1 for mean daily percent adult emergence. Treatment of the females had no appreciable effect on the percent of eggs deposited by their progeny or grand-progeny which resulted in viable adults; however, treatment of the males had a significant effect on descendants. The weighted partial linear and quadratic regression coefficients of percent adult emergence on day of oviposition were determined for each pair of flies, Analyses of the differences of these coefficients indicated that secondary spermatocytes and early spermatids were more sensitive to radiation induced genetic damage than were spermatozoa, later spermatids, primary spermatocytes, and spermatogonia. Less differential effect was found for irradiation of females than males. Nevertheless, gametes treated as primary oocytes were more susceptible to damage than those treated as oogonia. Irradiation of male Drosophila resulted in four to flve times as much genetic damage in the gametes as did irradiation of the female. Evidence of this greater damage is also present in the gametes produced by the progeny and grand- progeny of irradiated males, the extent of the damage being approximately halved each generation. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Illinois, Urbana
• NSA Number: NSA-18-013489
• OSTI ID: 4087857
• Journal Information: Genetics (U.S.), Journal Name: Genetics (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 49; ISSN GENTA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
DROSOPHILA
EGGS
GAMETES
GAMMA RADIATION
GENETICS
INSECTS
IRRADIATION
OOCYTES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOSENSITIVITY
REPRODUCTION
SEX
SPERM