Evaluating radioprotectors to improve x-ray sterilization techniques for Aedes aegypti males

Monday, November 11, 2013: 9:36 AM
Meeting Room 18 A (Austin Convention Center)
Stacy D. Rodriguez , Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Ramaninder Kaur Brar , Physics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Lisa L. Drake , Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Hannah Drumm , HHMI, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
David P. Price , Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
John Hammond , Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Las Cruces, NM
Jacob Urquidi , Physics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Immo A. Hansen , Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Sterile Insect Technique has been successfully used to eradicate dipteran insect populations. However, the lack of gentle sterilization methods and other problems have resulted in significant complications when applying SIT to mosquitoes. Irradiating mosquitoes can result in high mortality rates and a decrease in competitiveness to unirradiated males.  New protocols for mosquito sterilization need to be investigated to minimize detrimental effects on the irradiated males.

Several compounds have been described to act as radioprotectors in different model systems for example ethanol in mice, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) in insects. We have investigated the effect of treatment with potential radioprotective compounds on longevity of X-ray sterilized mosquito males.  Our results suggest that radioprotective compounds could become an essential part of mosquito sterilization protocols and improve mosquito sterile insect technique.

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