GROWTH AND SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT OF PRENATALLY IRRADIATED CATTLE

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · J. ANimal Sci.

OSTI ID:4721619

Parish, N R; Murphree, R L; Hupp, E W

Pregnant Hereford and Hereford-Angus cows received 400 r (air dose) of gamma radiation from Co/sup 60/ at a rate of 24.9 r/hr. The average stage of gestation at irradiation was 202 days (range 122 to 235 days). Fetal irradiation caused a small decrease in growth rate, and 90% of the prenatally irradiated heifers were fertile when bred to normal bulls. Testis weights of the prenatally irradiated bulls were approximates 50% less than those of the control bulls when castrated at 187 days of age. In addition, bulls prenatally irradiated in the 5th or 8th morth of fetal life produced 42% and 52% as many sperm as control bulls. Metabolic activity of the sperm from irradiated bulls did not differ from that of the control bulls. Six % of the dams died from acute radiation sickness (average 23 days postirradiation), whereas no mortality was observed in 34 bulls irradiated with 400 r. The failure to observe decreased fertility in mature cows within 3 or 5 years after 400 r, or 3 years after an accumulated dose of 800 r (400 r and 400 r 2 years later) is in contrast to decreased fertility in rodents following lower doses. Thus suggests that the ovaries of females of the larger species are less sensitive to irradiation than are the ovaries of rodents. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Tennessee-AEC Agricultural Research Lab., Oak Ridge
• NSA Number: NSA-17-010422
• OSTI ID: 4721619
• Journal Information: J. ANimal Sci., Journal Name: J. ANimal Sci. Vol. Vol: 21
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CATTLE
GAMMA RADIATION
GONADS
LIFETIME
METABOLISM
OVARIES
PREGNANCY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION SICKNESS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
REPRODUCTION
SPERM
TESTES
WEIGHT