The effect of high temperature applied after irradiation on the frequency of induced lethal mutations and chromosomal breaks

Abstract

The after-effect of ionizing radiation was studied on sex-linked recessive lethal mutations and chromosomal breaks. The after-effect is revealed by subsequent high temperature treatment. It was shown that the high temperature raises the frequency of lethal mutations by affecting the potential chromosomal injuries, amount of which increases 1.5 times comparing to the number of realized mutations. A low dose (100 r) of A'-rays did not give any primary breaks, but did cause a considerable amount of potential breaks which are realized by high temperature treatment. The role of point mutations and chromosomal aberrations in the aftereffect of radiation as well as the role of potential injuries in general genetic effect of radiation for different doses are discussed.