Effects of Gamma Radiation on the Fertility and Longevity of Drosophila melanogaster
Untreated female flies of Drosophila Meigen strain mated with males exposed to 4 kr of Co60 gamma radiation in the larval, and 16 kr in the pupal or adult stage deposited the normal number of eggs, none of which hatched. Females irradiated in the pupal or adult stage with 8 or 16 kr and mated with untreated males produced few or no eggs. Females irradiated in the larval stage produced fewer eggs after exposure to high doses of radiation than untreated females but showed no reduction in the percentage of emerging adults. Untreated female flies mated with irradiated males (16 kr) produced sterile eggs, but when mated a second time with untreated males, produced viable eggs. Untreated female flies mated with normal males produced viable eggs, but when subsequently mated with irradiated males, they continued to produce viable eggs. Sterile males confined with normal males and females reduced the number of progeny, suggesting the possible use of irradiated males to control the population of the flies. That females mate only once is not required to control population size; the important factor is the introduction of dominant lethality in the population. Longevity of male or female flies irradiated in the pupal or adult stage was not affected by irradiation. Male and female flies exposed in the larval stage to 4 kr were shorter lived than flies from untreated larvae or larvae exposed to 1 kr. Females irradiated in the larval stage with 2.5 kr were shorter lived than females from untreated larvae or larvae exposed to 1 kr. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, Md.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-000078
- OSTI ID:
- 4172047
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Economic Entomology, Vol. 56, Issue 3; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64; ISSN 0022-0493
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RADIATION AND APHOLATE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER MEIGEN
RADIATION-INDUCED STERILITY IN THE INSECT RHODNIUS PROLIXUS