The Production of Sterility in Male Mice by Irradiation with Neutrons

Abstract

12 [male] mice were irradiated with doses ranging from 110 to 215 r. of neutrons and mated to untreated [female][female]. [male][male] receiving the larger doses failed to give fertile matings. The other [male][male] gave fertile matings for about 3 weeks, after which there followed a sterile period of about 9 weeks. Production of sperm probably ceases within a few days following treatment. The initial fertile period lasts only until the mature spermatozoa already in the sperm tract at the time of treatment have become too inactive to effect fertilization. Litter size during the initial fertile period was 3.1 [plus or minus] 0.5. For a control group, the litter size was 8.4 [plus or minus] 0.6. Neutron rays, as measured by the amt. of ionization produced in a Bakelite-walled thimble chamber, are about 5-6 times as potent as x-rays in producing dominant lethal changes in the mature sperm of mice.