The development of normal and gamma-irradiated Litomosoides carinii larvae in cotton rats.
The development of infective, stage 3 larvae of Litomosoides carinii irradiated at either 2.7, 5.4, 10.8, 16.2, 21.6 or 40 krads in a cobalt 60 source was compared with that of normal larvae following injection into cotton rats. Worm recovery decreased as the radiation dose increased, male worms being more affected than female worms. Worms developing from irradiated larvae were shorter than normal and at 16.2 krads and above they failed to develop into adults despite reaching the pleural cavity and moulting to stage 4 larvae. Development had ceased by 35 and 20 days post infection for larvae irradiated at 21.6 and 40 krads respectively. 10 krads and below allowed larvae to moult into adults but they were stunted and retarded developmentally. Microfilariae were absent from the pleural cavity and peripheral circulation of all cotton rats injected with irradiated larvae.
D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae; D005370:Filarioidea / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure