Investigating random mutations rate induced by sub-sterilizing gamma ray irradiation doses on Aedes albopictus male progeny.

This study investigates the transmission of random mutations induced by gamma ray exposure in sub-sterile Aedes albopictus males’ progenies. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is based on the mass rearing, sex separation, male sterilization by irradiation and release. It has been demonstrated that gamma ray doses inducing full sterility in males also cause somatic damages that reduce their capacity to compete with wild males during the mating. Therefore, it is considered as more convenient to apply radiation doses inducing sub-sterility in males. The males treated with sub-sterilizing radiation doses produce some progeny which can introduce sub-lethal random mutations to the following generation(s).