Abstract
THE classic experiments of Hertwig on the X-irradiation of frog spermatozoa were recently extended by Rugh1, who reported that exposure of the spermatozoa to doses from 15 r. to 10,000 r. caused a progressive increase in embryonic mortality ; at the higher dosage only 1.6 per cent of the embryos hatched. Further increase of the dosage, however, increased the number of viable embryos ; at 50,000 r., 90.5 per cent hatched. These embryos were morphologically uniform and very similar to haploids produced by other means. Rugh concluded that with the higher doses the spermatozoa, which showed normal motility, were able to penetrate the egg, but were unable to effect syngamy, so that the development initiated was parthenogenetic.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Rugh, R., Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc., 81, 447 (1939).
Snell, G. D., J. Exp. Zool., 65, 421 (1933).
Henson, M., J. Exp. Zool., 91, 405 (1942).
Asdell, S. A., and Warren, S. L., Amer. J. Rönt. and Rad. Therap., 25, 81 (1931).
Pincus, G., and Fnzmann, E. V., J. Fxp. Zool., 73, 195 (1936).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
AMOROSO, E., PARKES, A. X-Irradiation of Rabbit Spermatozoa in vitro. Nature 152, 244 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/152244a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/152244a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.