Radiosensitivity of Drosophila Spermatogonia

Abstract

Sex-linked lethal frequencies have been determined in offspring from males irradiated at a well-defined age during late embryonic stages. Cyclic variation has been found with age at exposure in mutation frequency above controls, indicating variation in genetic radiation sensitivity during the mitotic cycle of approximately synchronously dividing spermatogonia. The findings are discussed in relation to earlier results and interpretations.

Key Words:

• Cell synchrony
• Drosophila
• mutation
• radiation