Title: Effects of high dose rate gamma radiation on survival and reproduction of Biomphalaria glabrata

Authors: R.S. Cantinha, S.I. Borrely, E. Nakano, A. Amaral, L.R.S. Silva, A.M.M.A. Melo

Addresses: Centro de Tecnologia das Radiacoes, Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ' Centro de Tecnologia das Radiacoes, Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ' Laboratorio de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ' Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Energia Nuclear, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 1000, Recife, PE, Brazil. ' Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Energia Nuclear, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 1000, Recife, PE, Brazil. ' Grupo de Estudos em Radioprotecao e Radioecologia (GERAR), Departamento de Biofisica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, s/n, Recife, PE, Brazil

Abstract: Ionising radiations can cause mutagenesis and death depending on the dose. Based on this, the effects of ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation at high dose rate on the survival and reproduction of Biomphalaria glabrata, one of the hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, were evaluated in this paper. The results demonstrated lethality in all irradiated groups, despite the lack of high dose rate on the lethality, compared to low dose rate. Nevertheless, our data suggest effects of dose rate on the reproduction. On all dose levels, radiation improved the production of embryos for all exposed individuals, but the viability indexes were below 6% and, even 65 days after irradiation, fertility was not recovered. Based on these results, the doses of 20 and 30 Gy seem appropriate for protocols of population control of B. glabrata. This research evidenced the great potential of high dose rate gamma radiation on B. glabrata population control.

Keywords: Biomphalaria glabrata; gamma radiation; high dose rate; radiation effects; radiobiology; schistosomiasis control; ionising radiation; fertility; irradiation; population control; B. glabrata.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2010.034912

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2010 Vol.7 No.4, pp.245 - 252

Published online: 30 Aug 2010 *

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