Growth and Fecundity of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Exposed to Single Sublethal Doses of X-rays During the Eyed Embryo Stage

Abstract

When rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were reared for 2 years after irradiation with 21, 83, and 203 roentgens (R) during the eyed stage, the irradiation had no demonstrable effect on survival, growth, or fecundity. The trout were reared at temperatures of 15.4 and 17.2 C in parallel experiments for 160 days after fertilization. At the end of 2 years, 65 female trout (and 56 males), averaging more than 1400 g in weight, produced 186,400 eggs. Egg production was not related to irradiation dose or temperature; however, there was a slight dose-related increase in number surviving to the eyed stage in most of the irradiated groups.