To investigate the influence of low-dose-rate irradiation on the growth of silkworms, Bombyx mori, eggs of silkworms were randomly divided into 2 groups and were grown on either low-dose-radiation-emitting sheets or control sheets. On the radiation-emitting sheets, the dose rate was measured as 66.0 (4.3) μSv/h (mean [standard deviation]) by a Geiger-Müller counter for α, β, and γ rays and 3.8 (0.3) μSv/h by a survey meter for γ rays. The silkworms became larger when bred on the radiation-emitting sheets, and their body weight was about 25% to 37% heavier on day 42 to 49 after starting the experiment. Continuous low-dose-rate irradiation promoted the growth of silkworms. It should be further investigated whether this phenomenon could be utilized by the silk industry.
Microarray Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in the Kidneys and Testes of Mice after Long-term Irradiation with Low-dose-rate γ-rays