Sensitivity of Artemia Eggs to γ-irradiation IX. A Correlation between Radiation-induced Free Radicals and Hatchability in Eggs Exposed to β-mercaptoethylamine

Summary

Both free-radical and hatchability measurements were made on the same samples of Artemia eggs treated with MEA. MEA present at the time of irradiation protected eggs under both dry and wet conditions, but was not effective when administered after irradiation. Radiation protection was accompanied by a reduction in the number of free radicals. The effect of MEA was to increase the rate of decay of radiation-induced radicals. However, transfer of unpaired electrons to the sulphur nucleus in MEA was not found.

The protective mechanism of MEA is discussed in the light of current hypotheses.