Resistance of male gamete function to ionising radiation: implications in evolution and in induced transformation in higher organisms

In plants, highly irradiated pollen grains are capable of growing, discharging their fragmented DNA into the egg, and causing egg transformation. The present study suggests that sperms of higher animals are similarly resistant to radiation damage to their DNA delivery function, i.e., their motility. This observation, taken in conjunction with available evidence regarding pseudo-fertilisation and polyspermy after insemination with irradiated spermatozoa, suggests that recovery of egg-transformed progeny may be possible in animals as well as in plants. Evolutionary implications of gametic resistance are discussed. (auth)