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Title: Effects of mutagenized X chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster on viability and fitness in males

Journal Article · · Environ. Mutagen.; (United States)

Drosophila melanogaster males were treated with different doses of X-rays or ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and mated so that mutagenized X chromosomes could be recovered and tested for lethal mutations affecting viability and other aspects of fitness. The Poisson-corrected frequencies of the lethal mutations increased linearly with dose for both X-rays and EMS. Based on the data, l Krad X-rays given acutely induces the same number of lethals as 0.55 mM EMS administered by feeding. For some of the X-ray and EMS doses, the mutagenized chromosomes that were nonlethal reduced the viability of their carriers by a small amount, but there was no discernable dose-effect relationship. However in every case where a viability effect was seen, the percentage reduction was less than the corresponding frequency of lethals. All the groups of mutagenized nonlethal chromosomes reduced overall fitness by a significant percentage. Wherever a meaningful comparison was possible, this reduction was 2-3 times the reduction in viability, but as in the viability data, no dose-effect relationship was discernable.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul
OSTI ID:
6678497
Journal Information:
Environ. Mutagen.; (United States), Vol. 6:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English