不同生育阶段夜温升高对双季水稻产量的影响

利用两间玻璃温室内夜间不同的温度条件,研究了水稻不同生育阶段的夜温升高对双季早、晚稻产量的影响.结果表明：播种-幼穗分化（一次枝梗分化期）期间夜温升高,有利于双季水稻的分蘖,植株有效穗数显著增加,平均夜间最低温度每升高1 ℃,双季早、晚稻的产量分别提高10.02%～13.18%和6.52%～7.78%（P＜0.01）;幼穗分化-抽穗（10%稻穗抽出剑叶鞘）期间夜温升高,导致颖花退化,使每穗发育颖花数减少,平均夜间最低温度每升高1 ℃,双季早、晚稻的产量分别下降3.76%～6.67%和3.66%～6.94%（P＜0.01）;灌浆结实期（抽穗-成熟）夜温升高,双季早稻的结实率和产量显著下降,而双季晚稻的结实率和产量显著提高,平均夜间最低温度每升高1 ℃,双季早稻的产量下降2.07%～5.61%（P＜0.05）,双季晚稻的产量提高1.63%～2.28%（P＜0.05）.表明不同生育阶段的夜温升高对双季水稻产量的影响存在明显差异.     

夜间温度升高对双季早晚稻产量的影响

温度是影响水稻生长发育的重要因素,但夜间温度升高对双季水稻产量的影响还不清楚。利用两间玻璃室内夜间不同的温度条件,研究了水稻生长期间夜温升高对双季早、晚稻产量的影响。结果表明,夜间最低温度每升高1℃早稻产量降低5.42%-9.48%,而夜间最低温度每升高1℃晚稻产量提高8.99%-11.28%。夜温升高有利于早、晚稻的分蘖,增加有效穗数,但不利于颖花分化,使每穗粒数减少;夜温升高使早稻结实率下降,但提高晚稻的结实率。     

水稻物质生产与氮、磷、钾、硅素积累特点及其相互关系

大田条件下研究了30个水稻基因型的干物质与N、P、K、Si积累特性及其相互关系.结果表明,水稻干物质积累总量随N、P、K和Si积累总量的增加呈直线增加,其相关系数早季和晚季均达极显著水平.同时,N、P、K、Si积累的平衡有利于干物质积累,干物质积累量随NBI(养分平衡指数)直线增加,随NDI(养分偏离指数)直线下降.30个水稻品种平均N、P、K、Si积累总量比值早季为3.76:1:4.55:7.10,晚季为2.88:1:4.54:8.09.干物质积累能力以中期最强,前期最弱,而N积累能力却以前期最强,后期最弱.水稻抽穗前积累的干物质主要分配在茎鞘中,当抽穗期茎鞘比率达到最大时,茎鞘重约为叶片重的2倍,而抽穗前积累的N主要分配在叶片中,叶片中N的分配比率全生育期均比干物质分配比率高.成熟期积累的干物质、N和P主要分配在穗部,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率分别为58.01%、66.42%和70.06%,而K主要分配在茎鞘中,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率为62.08%.早季Si在茎中的分配比率(43.11%)最大,而晚季却以穗中的分配比率(46.99%)最大.     

不同水分管理下优质稻花后植株碳氮流转与籽粒生长及品质的相关性

以桂华占、八桂香为材料,在干湿交替灌溉、亏缺灌溉、淹水灌溉3种水分条件下,研究优质稻花后植株碳氮流转与籽粒生长及品质的相关性。结果表明:不同水分管理下,桂华占和八桂香花后碳氮流转与籽粒的生长间存在密切相关。主要表现在:(1)茎鞘和叶片干物质转运对籽粒干物质积累的贡献率为16.86%～25.68%,花后茎叶干物质运转速度和运转率与籽粒起始灌浆势呈显著甚至极显著正相关;籽粒最大灌浆速率、活跃灌浆期、持续灌浆时间与叶片干物质运转速度和运转率呈极显著正相关,与茎鞘干物质运转速度和运转率呈极显著负相关;(2)茎鞘碳同化物转运对籽粒的产量和淀粉产量的贡献率则为干湿交替灌溉>亏缺灌溉>淹水灌溉;但叶片碳同化物转运对籽粒的产量和淀粉产量的贡献率则为淹水灌溉>亏缺灌溉>干湿交替灌溉;茎叶可溶性糖积累量的减少和籽粒直链淀粉含量和积累量增加是同步的,且茎叶可溶性糖积累量快速递减期(花后3～12d)与直链淀粉含量和积累量快速递增期(花后6～12d)同步;(3)茎鞘和叶片氮素转运对籽粒氮素积累的贡献率为44.05%～117.66%,叶片总氮转运对籽粒氮素积累的贡献率大于茎鞘,茎鞘和叶片氮同化物对籽粒氮素的贡献率以淹水灌溉处理的最大,亏缺灌溉处理的次之,干湿交替灌溉处理的最小。     

温度对小麦籽粒形成过程中生理变化的影响

试验研究了温度对小麦籽粒形成过程中生理变化的影响,得到以下结果:1.小麦在开花到成熟处于日温相同(25℃)而夜温不同(20℃,10℃)的条件下,夜温低的处理籽粒灌浆期和成熟期比夜温高的处理延长10天。2.夜温低的处理绿色叶面积大、下部叶片衰亡较慢、叶片夜间呼吸强度低,有利于干物质的积累。因此茎鞘、叶、穗、籽粒和总干重都较高。开花到开花后17天植株干重的主要差异是茎鞘。开花17天以后到成熟,两个处理籽粒干重的差异逐渐增加。3.夜温低的处理,籽粒灌浆的物质来源较丰富,有利于晚开花的籽粒生长。由于灌浆的粒数较多,不仅小穗第一、二粒的粒重增加,第三粒的结实率和粒重也有所提高。4.夜温低的处理,茎、鞘和叶的含糖量比夜温高的处理大,以茎较为显著。籽粒生长前期淀粉含量低而醇溶性糖的含量高,接近成熟时两个处理的差异减小。5.在小麦籽粒灌浆盛期供给旗叶以 C~(14)O_2后;穗、穗下节和饲喂叶的局部温度改变(5—8℃,20—25℃)引起了同化产物运输分配情况发生变化。穗部降温对同化产物输入籽粒的抑制作用最大,饲喂叶次之。穗下节降温到5—8℃的影响不大。穗及饲喂叶降温有较多的放射性物质留存在饲喂叶中。6.不论是供给、输导或接受器官降温,受到低温影响的部分醇溶性物质的分布百分率皆增高;穗部降温的影响最大,饲喂叶次之,穗下节较小。穗部降温籽粒中的放射性约有65%在醇溶性部分,不降温的约有63%在稀酸水解部分;说明了5—8℃的低温阻碍籽粒中糖向淀粉等高分子物质的转化过程。7.本文对青海地区小麦干粒重较高的原因,夜温对小麦茎、鞘、叶和籽粒的生长,每穗粒重和粒数的关系等进行了分析和讨论;并指出改变温度或用其他方法增加粒重提高产量的可能。     

氮高效利用基因型水稻生育后期氮素分配与转运特性

选择前期筛选出的氮高效利用基因型水稻为试验材料,以低效利用基因型为对照,采用土培试验,在低氮(100 mg·kg^-1)和正常施氮(200 mg·kg^-1)下,研究了高效和低效基因型水稻生育后期不同器官的氮素分配量、转运量和转运效率差异.结果表明: 与低效基因型水稻相比,高效基因型在低氮条件下,仍能保持较高的产量和氮素利用效率,其产量为低效基因型的1.75倍,氮肥利用率高达50.9%,而低效基因型仅为36.4%.与正常施氮相比,低氮更有利于提高氮素在高效基因型穗部的分配量,穗部积累量在扬花期、灌浆期和成熟期分别增加了34.2%、2.5%和0.5%,而低效基因型在灌浆期和成熟期却分别降低了23.5%和15.6%.不同施氮水平下,氮素在高效基因型不同器官的分配比例为扬花期:叶＞茎鞘＞根＞穗,灌浆期:穗＞叶＞茎鞘＞根,成熟期:穗＞茎鞘＞叶＞根,随着生育期的推进,穗部的分配比例明显增加.在低氮和正常施氮下,高效基因型氮素转运量表现为叶＞茎鞘＞根,而低效基因型表现为茎鞘＞叶＞根;高效基因型氮素转运效率分别为60.8%、60.3%,分别为低效基因型的1.67、155倍.因此,高效基因型抽穗后叶片较高的转运效率为籽粒的灌浆结实奠定了良好基础.     

不同水稻品种在不同光照条件下的光合特性及干物质积累

对12个杂交水稻品种在两类生态条件下的光合特性及干物质积累进行了研究.结果表明:水稻适应环境的能力主要由其自身因素决定,品种之间存在较大差异.品种间的净光合速率和叶绿素含量差异均比生态区域间的差异更显著.产量与总干物质量和净光合速率呈显著正相关,决定系数R²分别为0.584和0.590,与茎鞘物质输出率和茎鞘物质转换率相关不显著.与低光强地区相比,高光强地区叶片厚度和干物质积累量增加,茎鞘物质输出率和茎鞘物质转换率降低.在光照充足的条件下,产量中来自于后期光合积累物质的比例较大;在光照不足的条件下,产量中来自于前期干物质积累及其转运的比例较大.     

不同水稻品种在不同光照条件下的光合特性及干物质积累

对12个杂交水稻品种在两类生态条件下的光合特性及干物质积累进行了研究.结果表明：水稻适应环境的能力主要由其自身因素决定,品种之间存在较大差异.品种间的净光合速率和叶绿素含量差异均比生态区域间的差异更显著.产量与总干物质量和净光合速率呈显著正相关,决定系数R2分别为0.584和0.590,与茎鞘物质输出率和茎鞘物质转换率相关不显著.与低光强地区相比,高光强地区叶片厚度和干物质积累量增加,茎鞘物质输出率和茎鞘物质转换率降低.在光照充足的条件下,产量中来自于后期光合积累物质的比例较大;在光照不足的条件下,产量中来自于前期干物质积累及其转运的比例较大.     

不同生育期水分胁迫对水稻根叶渗透调节物质变化的影响

 干旱是限制水稻(Oryza sativa)作物产量的主要生态因子之一,渗透调节是作物适应干旱逆境的生理机制之一。在人为控制水分的盆栽条件下, 对水稻生长的分蘖期、幼穗分化期、抽穗期、结实期分别进行水分胁迫,研究水稻根系及叶片渗透调节物质的变化规律。结果表明, 不同生育期 干旱胁迫后叶片水势均显著下降,根系和叶片的有机渗透调节物质如可溶性糖、游离氨基酸、脯氨酸和无机渗透调节物质包括K⁺、Mg²⁺等含量 均大幅度上升,而且幼穗分化期和抽穗期这两个对水分胁迫最敏感的时期上升幅度最大,其中又以有机渗透调节物质变化最显著。不同生育期渗 透调节大小的顺序为：抽穗期>幼穗分化期>结实期>分蘖期,反映了不同生育时期渗透调节能力的差异。同时幼穗分化期和抽穗期水分胁迫结束 后再复水后根系和叶片的有机渗透调节物质含量仍长期明显高于对照,而无机离子则变化规律比较复杂,有的升高有的则降低。叶片的渗透调 节能力大于根系,无论是叶片或根系都是K⁺对渗透调节的贡献最大;其次是Ca²⁺, 6 种渗透调节物质含量大小排列顺序为K⁺ > Ca²⁺ >可溶性糖 > Mg²⁺ > 游离氨基酸 > 脯氨酸。     

秸秆还田配施不同比例化肥对晚稻产量及土壤养分的影响

在不同秸秆还田方式对早稻的效应研究确定的最佳还田方式和还田量(粉碎还田3000 kg/hm2)基础上,以单施秸秆为对照,研究了秸秆还田配施不同比例化肥对晚稻产量、干物质积累与分配及土壤养分的影响。结果表明:(1)与对照相比,秸秆3000 kg/hm2+N 150 kg/hm2+P2O575 kg/hm2+K2O 37.5 kg/hm2增产效果最为显著,在水稻的每穗粒数、千粒重、结实率、充实度和产量等方面增加幅度最大,分别为9.32%、4.28%、13.70%、2.74%和26.38%。(2)各处理的干物质茎鞘比例随着生育进程不断降低,从孕穗期的66.68%—77.00%降低至成熟期的25.97%—34.79%,除SNPK1外,叶片比例从孕穗期的23.00%—33.32%降低至成熟期的7.41%—21.03%;秸秆还田配施不同比例化肥处理的茎鞘比例在孕穗期、抽穗期和成熟期高于对照,而叶片比例与茎鞘比例呈相反趋势。(3)与对照相比,秸秆还田配施不同比例化肥处理提高了土壤pH值、有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、全磷、有效磷、全钾、速效钾,降低了土壤C/N比。研究结果说明,秸秆还田配施不同比例化肥可以提高植株干物质积累速率、群体生物量,合理改善土壤养分,保证较高的水稻增产潜力,其中秸秆3000 kg/hm2+N 150 kg/hm2+P2O575 kg/hm2+K2O 37.5 kg/hm2效果最为显著。     

Tuning of electronic properties of one-dimensional cyano-bridged Cu-Ni, Cu-Pd, and Cu-Pt bimetallic assemblies by stereochemistry of ligands

Preparations, XPS and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetism of seven new one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, chiral [Cu(RR-chxn)₂][Pd(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (1), [Cu(trans-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (2, 4, and 6 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt), and [Cu(cis-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (3, 5, and 7 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt) (RR-chxn = cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine, trans-chxn = racemic trans-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine, and cis-chxn = racemic cis-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine) have been reported in view of tuning of their electronic properties by stereochemistry of chxn ligands and metal-substitution. Comparison of Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 peaks of XPS and broad d-d bands around 18 000 cm⁻¹ of electronic spectra are described systematically for 1-7. Variable-temperature magnetic measurement shows that complexes 1-7 indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions via cyano-bridges. Because of semi-coordination coupled with pseudo Jahn-Teller elongation and electrostatic interaction for 1, the axial Cu-N coordination bond distances of 2.330(7) and 3.092(8) Å are considerably longer than those of equatorial ones in the range from 2.016(6) to 2.030(6) Å. The former bond distances of 1 are intermediate values among the related Ni (2.324(6) and 3.120(8) Å) and Pt (2.34(1) and 3.09(1) Å) complexes.     

Structure and function of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

In mammals, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) is the only known enzyme to catalyze the breakdown of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) to homocysteine and adenosine. AdoHcy is the product of all adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent biological transmethylations. These reactions have a wide range of products, and are common in all facets of biometabolism. As a product inhibitor, elevated levels of AdoHcy suppress AdoMet-dependent transmethylations. Thus, AdoHcyase is a regulator of biological transmethylation in general. The three-dimensional structure of AdoHcyase complexed with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH) and the inhibitor (1′R, 2′S, 3′R)-9-(2′,3′-dihyroxycyclopenten-1-yl)adenine (DHCeA) was solved by a combination of the crystallographic direct methods program, SnB, to determine the selenium atom substructure and by treating the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction data as a special case of multiple isomorphous replacement. The enzyme architecture resembles that observed for NAD-dependent dehydrogenases, with the catalytic domain and the cofactor binding domain each containing a modified Rossmann fold. The two domains form a deep active site cleft containing the cofactor and bound inhibitor molecule. A comparison of the inhibitor complex of the human enzyme and the structure of the rat enzyme, solved without inhibitor, suggests that a 17° rigid body movement of the catalytic domain occurs upon inhibitor/substrate binding.     

Influence of Fluoride on Rat Kidney Antioxidant System: Effects of Methionine and Vitamin E

The aim of the study has been to determine and compare the influence upon the kidney antioxidative system, exercised by administration of vitamin E, and vitamin E in combination with methionine, under conditions of oxidative stress induced by sodium fluoride. The experiment was carried out on Wistar FL rats (adult males) that, for 35 days, were administered water, NaF, NaF with vitamin E, or vitamin E with methionine (doses: 10 mg NaF/kg of body mass/24 h, 3 mg vitamin E per 10 μl per rat for 24 h, 2 mg methionine per rat for 24 h). The influence of administered sodium fluoride and antioxidants upon the antioxidative system in kidney was examined by analyzing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of the most important antioxidative enzymes (SOD, total and both its isoenzymes, GPX, GST, GR, and CAT). The studies carried out confirmed the disadvantageous effect of the administered dose of NaF upon the antixodiative system in rats (increase in the concentration MDA, decrease activity of all antioxidative enzymes). The administration of vitamin E increased the activity of studied enzymes with the exception of glutathione reductase GR; it also reduced the procesess of lipid peroxidation. It has been found that combined doses of vitamin E and methionine were most effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation processes. The results confirmed the antioxidative properties of methionine.     

Reorientation of Microfibrils and Microtubules at the Outer Epidermal Wall of Maize Coleoptiles During Auxin-Mediated Growth

Auxin-mediated elongation growth of isolated subapical coleoptile segments of maize (Zea mays L.) is controlled by the extensibility of the outer cell wall of the outer epidermis (Kutschera et al., 1987). Here we investigate the hypothesis that auxin controls the extensibility of this wall by changing the orientation of newly deposited microfibrils through a corresponding change in the orientation of cortical microtubules. On the basis of electron micrographs it is shown that cessation of growth after removal of the endogenous source of auxin is correlated with a relative increase of longitudinally orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. Conversely, reinduction of growth by exogenous auxin is correlated with a relative increase of transversely orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. These changes can be detected 30–60 min after the removal and addition of auxin, respectively. The functional significance of directional changes of newly desposited wall microfibrils for the control of elongation growth is discussed.     

Land,livestock, and livelihoods: Changing dynamics of gender,caste, and ethnicity in a Nepalese Village

Over the past 10 years, Ghusel VDC, Lalitpur District has moved from primarily subsistence agriculture into the wider cash economy aided by the Small Farmers' Development Program (SFDP), which provides credit to farmers mainly for the purchase of buffalo for milk production, and by the National Dairy Corporation, which supports local dairy cooperatives. Analysis reveals that buffalo-keeping and milk sales are increasing the well-being of many households, while at the same time creating new inequalities in gender roles and responsibilities, greater inequities between Brahmin and Tamang residents in Ghusel, and placing pressures on the ecosystem for increased supplies of fodder and fuelwood. Evidence suggests that there is critical, need for attention to the social, and particularly gender-based, implications of maintaining livestock for milk sales and to the ecological underpinnings of this livelihood system.     

Chiral Separation of G‐type Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents via Analytical Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) are extremely toxic organophosphorus compounds that contain a chiral phosphorus center. Undirected synthesis of G‐type CWNAs produces stereoisomers of tabun, sarin, soman, and cyclosarin (GA, GB, GD, and GF, respectively). Analytical‐scale methods were developed using a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system in tandem with a mass spectrometer for the separation, quantitation, and isolation of individual stereoisomers of GA, GB, GD, and GF. Screening various chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the capacity to provide full baseline separation of the CWNAs revealed that a Regis WhelkO1 (SS) column was capable of separating the enantiomers of GA, GB, and GF, with elution of the P(+) enantiomer preceding elution of the corresponding P(–) enantiomer; two WhelkO1 (SS) columns had to be connected in series to achieve complete baseline resolution. The four diastereomers of GD were also resolved using two tandem WhelkO1 (SS) columns, with complete baseline separation of the two P(+) epimers. A single WhelkO1 (RR) column with inverse stereochemistry resulted in baseline separation of the GD P(–) epimers. The analytical methods described can be scaled to allow isolation of individual stereoisomers to assist in screening and development of countermeasures to organophosphorus nerve agents. Chirality 26:817–824, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Chirality published by John Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯对翡翠贻贝抗氧化酶及脂质过氧化水平的影响

实验室条件下,研究了不同浓度邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)长期胁迫(15 d)对翡翠贻贝内脏团和外套膜抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶SOD、过氧化氢酶CAT)及脂质过氧化(LPO)水平(以MDA含量表示)的影响,以及受胁迫翡翠贻贝在清洁海水中恢复阶段上述生化指标的变化特征.结果表明:胁迫阶段,0.5和2.5 mg.L-1DBP下翡翠贻贝内脏团SOD活性表现为先抑制后逐渐恢复,12.5和62.5 mg.L-1下则持续受到显著抑制;不同浓度组CAT活性均明显被抑制.LPO水平明显升高.外套膜中,2.5 mg.L-1下SOD活性受到持续诱导,其他浓度组则先被抑制,后随曝露时间延长逐渐被诱导;各浓度组CAT的变化波动较大,没有明显规律;而LPO水平明显升高.净化恢复阶段,12.5和62.5 mg.L-1DBP胁迫下的内脏团SOD和CAT活性恢复较慢,其LPO水平随时间延长逐渐恢复至对照组水平;外套膜中SOD活性呈持续升高趋势,CAT活性和LPO水平则随时间延长恢复到对照组水平.     

In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system. IV. Differential mitogen responses of isolated T and B cells.

The mitogenic responses of separated rabbit lymphocyte populations functionally analogous to mouse T and B cells have been tested in vitro. Purified T cells were prepared by passage over nylon wool (NW) and purified B cells prepared by treatment with antithymocyte serum and complement (ATS + C). ATS + C kills 70% of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL's) and 50% of the spleen cells while passage over NW yields 40% of the applied PBL's and 5–23% of the applied spleen cells. NW-purified T cells from the spleen or PBL's respond fully to concanavalin A (Con A) but have a reduced response to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and little or no response to goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (anti-Ig). PBL's that survive ATS + C (B cells) are stimulated by anti-Ig but not by Con A or PHA. B cells purified from spleen do not respond to Con A or PHA but will respond to anti-Ig under appropriate conditions. A full spleen B-cell response to anti-Ig required removal of Ig produced by the cultures that blocked anti-Ig stimulation. It is concluded that, for rabbit lymphocytes, Con A and PHA are primarily T-cell mitogens and that anti-Ig is primarily a B-cell mitogen. However, the mitogen response of unfractionated PBL or spleen cell populations indicates an overlap in reactivity. This could be due to cells sharing T and B properties, alteration of cell populations by the fractionation procedures used, or recruitment of one population in the presence of a mitogenic response of the other population.     

多马胺能药物对鲇鱼促性腺激素（GtH）分泌活动的影响

以珠江流域鲇鱼（silurus asotus)为实验材料,研究了多巴胺（DA）能药物（DA及其D－2型受体拮抗物 ,DOM）对鲇鱼促性腺激素（GtH)释放的影响,结果表明,在性腺发育的各个时期,单独注射DOM（5ug/g)均不能显著提高鲇鱼血液基础GtH水平,当DOM与LHRH－A联合注射时能显著增强LHRH－A刺激GtH释放的作用;DA只能抑制GnRH诱导的GtH释放,对基础GtH释放无抑制作用,这种生殖内分泌调节方式与鲇形目的革胡子鲇（Clarias gariepinus)和大鳍Hu（Mystus macropterus)相似,而与鲤形目的鲁科（Cyrpindiae)鱼类不同。     

X-ray induction of dominant lethals in late spermatids and mature spermatozoa of Drosophila melanogaster: the role of oxygenation

The role of oxygenation in determining the sensitivity to the induction of dominant lethals was examined in late spermatids and mature spermatozoa of Drosophila melanogaster. 0–2-h-old or 7-day-old Oregon-K males were irradiated with different X-ray exposures in nitrogen, air or in oxygen and the frequencies of dominant lethals induced in these stages were studied. The results obtained confirm and extend Sobels' earlier observations and the interpretation derived therefrom namely, that under normal conditions in air, mature spermatozoa are characterised by a higher degree of oxygenation than late spermatids and this difference is sufficient to explain the differential response of these stages. Similar Oxygen-Enhancement-Ratios(OERs) (of about 2) were obtained for both the cell stages. The present data also revealed that late spermatids are significantly less sensitive than mature spermatozoa to the X-ray-induction of dominant lethals in a nitrogen atmosphere. A plausible mechanism is suggested to explain this observation.