Elimination of Male Ascaridia galli (Nematoda) by X-Irradiation of Embryonated Eggs

Abstract

Studies on the development of Ascaridia galli from X-irradiated embryonated eggs indicated that a complete absence of male worms is due to their elimination rather than to sex reversal. Elimination of males occurred no later than 10 days post-infection, the earliest when worms could be sexed by current methods. Results of hatching X-irradiated embryonated eggs in vitro indicated that under the conditions used potential male larvae were capable of freeing themselves from the eggshell.