CHRONIC WHOLE-BODY GAMMA RADIATION STRESS IN THE ALBINO RAT AND MOUSE
Abstract
Albino rats subjected to whole-body radiation at levels of 0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 r daily over a 23-hour day using a Cobalt 60 source and fed 7% protein diets have a lower incidence of neoplasms than their irradiated counterparts fed 10 and 27% protein; however, these animals survive for a shorter period. Hematology tests show a dramatic decline in erythroid elements of both male and female rats exposed to 10 r per day, with accompanying leucocytosis, lymphocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Glucose utilization tests on prenatal, postnatal, and pre- and postnatal irradiated albino rats suggest that chronic gamma irradiation produced no apparent defect in glucose homeostasis. Female rats exposed to daily levels of 0, 2, 5, 10, and 20 r gamma radiation at the time of conception produced normal litters devoid of anomalies. These females produced three such litters when allowed to remain continuously in the radiation chamber. Males became sterile on all levels above 2 r daily. Albino mice given varying levels of chronic radiation for five wks showed decreased resistance dependent on the radiation dose when exposed to thermal stress by partial immersion in water at 70 C for five sec. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0255557
Entities
People
- George M. Krise
- Sidney O. Brown
Organizations
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station