Radiation induces stress and transgenerational impacts in the cricket, Acheta domesticus

Abstract

Purpose

Radiation exposure of crickets during their fourth juvenile molt inflicted ionizing radiation damage and altered growth rate, adult size at sexual maturity. High levels of ionizing radiation also impacted the subsequent generation, likely via heritable epigenetic mechanisms. Using radiation as a proxy for external stress, we aim to understand the transgenerational impacts of stress on non-irradiated offspring.

Methods and materials

We assess the impacts of ionizing radiation on maturation mass and growth rate in F0 male and female house crickets (Acheta domesticus). We also assessed trans-generational impacts of irradiation on growth rate and maturation mass on non-irradiated offspring of irradiated parents compared to non-irradiated controls.

Results

Early-life exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation-induced lower growth rate and maturation mass compared to controls (p < .0001). Non-irradiated male F1 offspring of irradiated parents demonstrated significantly lower mass at maturation (p = .0012) and significantly faster time of maturation (p < .0001) compared to F1 non-irradiated controls.

Conclusion

Our results show that a single early-life exposure to ionizing radiation can alter male offspring development through accelerated maturation and reduced maturation mass.

Keywords:

• Radiation
• trans-generational
• insect model organisms

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Correction

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09553002.2022.2147349)

Acknowledgements

This manuscript was improved from advice provided by Tamara Fuciarelli. Special thanks go to Johnathon Stone and Carmel Mothersill, who provided helpful advice over the course of the project. The authors acknowledge funding from NSERC, and Bruce Power awarded to CDR and XL.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xiaobing Li

Xiaobing Li is a Researcher in the Department of Biology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. His research focuses primarily on understanding the impacts of radiation and radio-resistance in invertebrates.

C. D. Rollo

Dr. C. David Rollo is a Professor in the Biology Department at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. His research interests span studies of aging, stress resistance, development, and ecology and evolution.