As airports across the country and around the world continue to tighten security, there is a growing concern among some researchers that increased irradiation levels for screening luggage and shipped parcels have the potential for damaging shipped semen.

Terry Blanchard, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, of Texas A&M University, says that even before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the radiation levels for screening luggage had been increased with even more powerful rays, to be brought into use in the future.

He said the problem is that no one knows for certain whether increased levels of irradiation will damage semen because no research has been conducted.

He said that one study involving irradiation and semen was conducted in England four or five years ago. That study indicated that the levels of radiation used to screen luggage at the time appeared to have no adverse effects on semen and the resulting fetuses and foals. Semen that had been exposed to radiation in that study was used to inseminate mares, he said, and the mares and fetuses were monitored throughout pregnancy. The resulting foals were also studied. The pregnancies and foals were normal