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Summary
Groups of male birds (Quelea quelea) have been subjected to a single whole-body exposure of 15-mev x-rays at doses of 50 r, 210 r, 420 r, 630 r, 840 r and 1040 r respectively. In all dose groups, irradiation resulted in a premature testis metamorphosis involving a sudden decrease in size and the genesis of large quantities of cholesterol-positive lipid within the seminiferous tubules. This phenomenon is apparently identical with that occurring annually in wild birds at the end of the breeding season. The possibility that this has been induced as a result of pituitary stimulation is discussed.
No apparent testicular damage was sustained by the 50 r and 210 r groups, and specimens underwent a normal revival of spermatogenesis during the succeeding breeding season. In the higher radiation groups, however, many birds were unable to produce germ cells more mature than primary spermatocytes, and the testis displayed an abnormal histological condition.
The LD50 at 30 days was found to be 1060 ± 100 r, and the median survival-time about 17 days.