GENETIC EFFECTS OF SPACEFLIGHT FACTORS
With the object of investigating effects of spaceflight factors on heredity, Drosophila melanogaster was carried on the second, fourth, and fifth orbital spaceships and on Vostok-1 and Vostok-2. Four different spaceflight effects were investigated. Nondisjunction of chromosomes was investigated by exposing unfertilized white-eyed Drosophila females on Vostoks 1 and 2 and mating them on their return with red-eyed males. Primary nondisjunction of chromosomes resulted in the appearance of four times as many unusual genotypes (XXY females and XO males) among the progeny of the exposed group as among offspring of the controls. However, the increase in nondisjunction cannot be ascribed to radiation effects. Induced crossovers were investigated by exposing heterozygotic males (having normal phenotypes but three recessive genes in the second chromosome) on the fifth orbital spaceship and on Vostoks 1 and 2. Upon return they were mated with homozygotic females displaying the three recessive characteristics (black body, cinnabar eyes, and vestigial wings). Drosophila carried in the fifth orbital spaceship with no protection against low-frequency vibrations showed crossover incidence of 0.50 450 deg C in a 0.12%, compared to an incidence of 0.05 450 deg C in a 0.05% or none at all on Vostok spaceships, where the insect containers were cushioned against vibration. Dominant lethal mutations were investigated by exposing two strains of Drosophila melanogaster (D- 18 with a high rate of spontaneous lethal mutations, and D-32 with a low rate for the same mutations) of the five spacecraft. The number of dominant lethal mutations was found to increase somewhat in all groups exposed to space flight. Sex-linked recessive lethal mutations were investigated by exposing young males of the D-18 and D-32 strains of Drosophila melanogaster on all five vehicles. Exposure on the second and fourth orbital spaceships and on Vostok-1 resulted in statistically significant numbers of sex-linked recessive lethal mutations for spermatozoa and spermatids of both strains. However, no increase in mutations was observed following exposure on the fifth orbital spaceship and on Vostok-2. (TCO)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-021549
- OSTI ID:
- 4718923
- Journal Information:
- Probl. Kosmich. Biol., Vol. Vol: 2; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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