REDUCED INCIDENCE OF PERSISTENT CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS IN MICE IRRADIATED AT LOW DOSE-RATE
Abstract
A marked difference in the production of persistent chromosome aberrations in mouse marrow cells by ionizing radiation delivered at a high dose rate (30 rad/min) versus a low dose rate (1.45 rad/hour) was observed. Clones of cell with chromosome abnormalities were present in the marrow of all the mice previously exposed to the X rays, either a single dose or fractionated, at 30 rad/min. The frequency of chromosome aberrations in these mice varied from 14% to 72% of the cells examined. By contrast, none of the 17 mice exposed to the continuous low dose rate gamma radiation (1.45 rad/hour) showed definite clones of abnormal marrow cells, and the frequency of persistent chromosome aberrations varied from zero to 8% in this group. The possible basis for this marked reduction in the production of persistent chromosome changes in marrow cells following exposure to low dose-rate gamma radiation is briefly discussed. If some of the late effects of radiation, particularly leukemia incidence, are related to the frequency of chromosome aberrations, it is possible that low dose-rate gamma radiation may be less leukemogenic than high dose-rate radiation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 06, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0408353
Entities
People
- L. J. Cole
- P. C. Nowell
Organizations
- Northwestern University