AIM: To investigate the effects of different radiation doses on the development of the neural tube defect in chick embryos using computed tomography (CT), and assess its correlation with survivin and Bcl-2 expressions.

MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 150 chicken eggs were used and grouped into five categories. In Group 1 (n=30), the embryos were not exposed to radiation. In Group 2 (n=30), the embryos were irradiated using lung cancer screening chest CT protocol. In Groups 3 and 4 (n=30 each), the abdominopelvic and adult routine head CT protocols, respectively, were used to irradiate the embryos. In Group 5 (n=30), the embryos were irradiated using adult brain perfusion CT protocol. Subsequently, the embryos were examined under a stereomicroscope to assess the presence of neural tube developmental abnormalities. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the survivin and Bcl-2 expression levels.

RESULTS: The risk of developing neural tube defect increased with the amount of exposed radiation. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between the survivin and Bcl-2 expression levels and the radiation dose.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of this study indicate that the radiation from CT may cause neural tube defect in chicken embryos.