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Atmospheric Environment 1971; 5: 117-122

The effects of atmospheric hydrogen fluoride upon Drosophila melanogaster. II. Fecundity, hatchability and fertility

RA Gerdes, JD Smith, and HG Appelgate

Department of Plant Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT: Two strains of Drosophila melanogaster were treated with sub-lethal levels of gaseous hydrogen fluoride for six weeks. Egg samples were collected at various times for hatchability determinations. Adults reared from these samples were evaluated for fecundity and fertility. Treatment with HF caused a marked reduction in hatchability and fecundity in the more sensitive strain. Male fertility was depressed but female fertility remained stable over the test period. The reduction of these parameters in the offspring of populations subjected to low levels of atmospheric HF contamination for prolonged periods suggests that HF causes genetic damage.

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