The Radiosensitivity of Embryos of Domestic Chickens and Black-headed Gulls

Summary

Eggs of domestic chickens and black-headed gulls were continuously exposed to gamma-rays during incubation, using dose rates ranging from 0·004 to 0·08 Gy h⁻¹ for 20 days. Acute-dose experiments were also conducted, and eggs were irradiated on day 10 of incubation with doses of between 1·92 and 28·8 Gy. Hatchability and numbers reaching full-term developed were affected only after chronic doses of 9·6 Gy and acute doses of 4·8 Gy or higher. Maximum embryo mortality occurred around days 10–11 of incubation and just before hatching, in all experiments. An increase in foot and limb deformities was observed above acute and chronic doses of 9·6 Gy.