Effect of Local X-Irradiation on Albumen Formation by the Hen's Oviduct

¹ From the Department of Poultry Husbandry and School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California

X-irradiation of the surgically exposed oviduct of the hen reduces the formation of albumen dry matter (which is composed essentially of protein). Over a dosage range of 0–4000 r, the irradiation effect is logarithmically related to the dose, with the albumen (dry basis) formation being reduced 40% at 4000 r. At higher doses (5000 r) irreversible changes apparently take place, since very few birds so treated return to egg production. Radioinhibition of albumen formation requires direct irradiation of the oviduct magnum tissue and, once established, appears to be more or less permanent. The functional status of the magnum tissue, relative to albumen secretion, at the time of irradiation does not appear to influence the result.