Sterility among Female Lizards (Uta stansburiana) Exposed to Continuous γ Irradiation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A natural population of the lizard U. stansburiana occupying a fenced 9 ha area in S Nevada [USA] was exposed to essentially continuous .gamma. irradiation from an artificial source between Feb. 1964 to Sept. 1973. Tissue doses were estimated using implanted LiF microdosimeters. Females became sterile as early as 11 mo. of age, but many were still fertile at ages of 20 mo. and a very few may have reproduced at 32 mo. Dosimetry showed some females to be sterile after accumulated doses of around 500 rad, while others may have required 1000 or more rad. One female estimated to have received over 1200 rad was still reproductive. Irradiated females may pass through a state of half sterility, during which time they possess 1 functional ovary. Female U. stansburiana are sterilized at lower doses than the sterilizing dose (1500 rad) previously suggested for the leopard lizard, Crotaphytus wislizenii.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: