Effect of paternal irradiation on 154 day weight in swine.

Abstract

WEIGHT at 154 days of age in swine is a common measure of growth rate from conception to near puberty. Weights between 170 and 180 pounds are average. This represents about a 60-fold increase in weight from birth. The interaction of many genes with the developmental environment produce both the general pattern and the variation in growth. Information concerning the genetic effect of irradiation on growth in mammals is limited. This paper presents evidence concerning the effect of paternal irradiation on 154 day weight. The effect favored offspring by control males in the first experiment while in the second experiment offspring by irradiated males were heavier at 154 days. Possible causes for this reversal of the effect are examined.