Generally speaking, the risk of damage to the next generation is less if the male parent is exposed to radiation than if the female parent is exposed. Why does this difference exist?
2007-02-03 14:21:18 · 2 answers · asked by Rachelina 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
A female baby carries thousands of eggs only some of which will be released at ovulation during her reproductive life .They are with her always which is pretty much the opposite of male genetic material , sperm are produced in huge quantities from new material and released in huge quantities over a lifetime.Makes you wonder about routine ultrasound doesnt it ???.
2007-02-03 15:41:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The female mammal carries all or most of the eggs she is going to use for ovulation from the beginning. Therefore, if exposed to X radiation (or other forms) which damage them, that is all she's got.
The male mammal makes sperm continuously, in part because the male ejaculates several million sperm per sex act while the female is using one egg or so per month. Most of the sperm generated by the male and carried during an X-ray are gone in under a month (depending on sex act frequency.)
2007-02-03 22:28:07 · answer #2 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋