Effects of Low Dose Gamma Radiation on Plasma Proteins in Chickens Hatched from Eggs Irradiated before Incubation

Introduction: Biological effects after a single prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation, reflecting significant heterogeneities in the responses in different species with respect to radiation type, dose, dose rate and time of exposure. Moreover, current knowledge and obtained results for poultry exposed to low dose ionizing radiation are inconsistent and almost lacking at present. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low dose gamma radiation on protein profile in blood of chickens irradiated in ovo.  Material and Methods: Fertilized chicken eggs in the experimental group were exposed to 0.3 Gy gamma radiation one hour before incubation, and control group was sham irradiated. Blood samples were taken on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th days of life. The plasma proteins fractions were separated by electrophoresis, while total protein and albumin levels were determined using the spectrophotometric method. Results: The obtained differences between control and experimental groups for total protein and albumin concentrations were statistically nonsignificant during our research. Total globulins were increased 10th day of chick’s life due to an increase in alpha globulins (P 0.05). In contrast, gamma globulins were decreased in one-day-old chickens exposed to ionizing radiation (P 0.05). Conclusion: Our study indicates a significant effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on protein synthesis after in ovo exposure, although more research is needed to determine underlying molecular mechanisms triggered by low-dose gamma radiation.