The Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Fertility of Tribolium confusum

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Abstract
Adult males of the flour beetle Tribolium confusum were irradiated with neutrons obtained from a Pu-Be source, and having an average energy of about 4 Mev. Following irradiation each male was mated with a series of 6 virgin females over a period of 12 days, remaining 2 days with each. The total number of adult offspring produced by each female over a 7 -day period was recorded. Unirradiated control males were accorded the same treatment. The mean number of offspring produced by females mated with irradiated males was 59.3, compared to 77.0 for the controls. This difference is highly significant and reflects the sperm damage caused by the neutrons. No significant differences in the fertility of the males over the 12 days was noted.

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