RADIATION-INDUCED STERILITY IN THE INSECT RHODNIUS PROLIXUS

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Canadian Journal of Zoology (Canada)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1139/z63-036· OSTI ID:4143744

Baldwin, W F; Shaver, E L

S>Doses of 2 Mvp x rays required to induce sterility in males and females in the fifth nymphal and adult stages were determined, as well as the effects of different ratios of sterile to fertile males in the viability of eggs. It was found that in the males, exposure of nymphs to 500 to 1000 r did not affect the hatching of eggs, but at higher doses sterility in the males reduced the hatch until complete sterility occurred at 4000 r. Some recovery from the sterilizing doses occurred at certain doses in the males, since the percentage hatch from groups irradiated at 1500, 2000, and 2500 r increased in the second and third months. In contrast, egg eclosion from females irradiated in the fifth instar stage was substantially reduced by 1000 r, and almost completely inhibited at 2000 r. Normal females mated to males irradiated at doses from 3000to 4000 r produced comparatively few eggs during the first month, which was shown to be accountable by the fact that irradiation at doses that induce sterility during the fifth instar seriously impairs mating. Doses required to sterilize both sexes were much greater for adults than those required in the fifth instar stage. The percentage hatch from maiings with irradiated males decreases from the 80 or 90% level in controls to zero at about 17500 r. In females, total sterility occurred at 8000 r. Laboratory population tests indicated that addition of a preponderance of sterile adult males significantly decreased the number of viable eggs. Different ratios of irradiated (17500 r) male adult insects and untreated males (10: 0, 9: 1, 8: 2, etc.) were held with a constant number of normal females (10) for a 3-month period. For the first month, at least, a ratio of 9: 1 or 8: 2 sterile/fertile males substantially reduced the percentage eclosion of eggs from normal females. The effect disappeared at ratios of 4: 6 and higher, where the percentage hatch revented to normal levels. However, the viability of the eggs at all ratios of sterile: fertile males reverted to normal levels during the second and third months. In populations to which irradiated males were added, early death of these males removed their inhibitory effect on population growth; the death of males exposed to 17500 r in the early part of the adult stage eliminated them by the end of nine weeks. It is concluded that damage resulting from irradiation during the fifth instar precludes the use of insects exposed as immature nymphs for tests of the effects of sterile males on Rhodnius populations. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Chalk River, Ont.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-003519
• OSTI ID: 4143744
• Journal Information: Canadian Journal of Zoology (Canada), Journal Name: Canadian Journal of Zoology (Canada) Vol. Vol: 41; ISSN CJZOA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
EGGS
INSECTS
NYMPHS
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
REPRODUCTION
RHODNIUS PROLIXUS
SEX
STERILIZATION
X RADIATION