THE EFFECT OF OXYGEN TENSION ON THE RADIOSENSITIVITY OF THE CHICK EMBRYO

Technical Report · Thu Jan 19 04:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4024389

Hopkins, B H; Tuttle, L W

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between oxygen tension at the time of exposure and the amount of radiation damage induced in a vertebrate species. Chick embryos were exposed to Co/sup 60/ gamma radiation at three different oxygen tensions. Subsequent growth, development, and pathological effects were examined and assessed quantitatively where possible. Embryos of 22 hrs total incubation age irradiated in 100% oxygen at 3 atm pressure showed a greater degree of growth retardation than groups similarly treated in dir at 1 atm and N at 3 atm, respectively. If the number of differentiated somites at 22.5 hrs post treatment is used as a measure of effect, then the amount of radiation required to reduce the number of somites to 50% of that found in control embryos is three times greater when oxygen tension is reduced from 2258 mm Hg to zero. Similar studies with the 4-day embryo also showed an oxygen dependent response when the LD/sub 50//7 hrs is used as the criterion of effect. Gross pathological examination of whole embryos disclosed a radiation response which paralleled the results obtained with quantitative measurements. (auth)

• Research Organization: Rochester, N.Y. Univ. Atomic Energy Project
• NSA Number: NSA-15-024679
• OSTI ID: 4024389
• Report Number(s): UR-586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BIRDS
COBALT 60
EMBRYOS
GAMMA RADIATION
NITROGEN
OXYGEN
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOSENSITIVITY