The Genetic Effects of Radiation on the Longevity of Progeny in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

1. In order to estimate the genetic effects of radiation on longevity, the life-span of the offspring from irradiated feameles and from irradiated males were measured. Controls were made at the same time.
2. The lives of the male offspring of these irradiated parents were significantly shorter than those of the controls.
3. The female offspring of treated parents lived as long as those from the control when they were kept together with males, while they lived significantly shorter periods than the controls when kept alone, without males.
4. The male offspring seemed to be more strongly affected by irradiation than the female offspring.
5. These results suggest that mutations which have an effect on longevity may be induced by X-rays, but no linear relationship between dose and effect was found.