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THE INFLUENCE OF DIETARY DEFICIENCIES ON THE SURVIVAL OF ALBINO RATS AND MICE SUBJECT TO CONTINUOUS LOW INTENSITY RADIATION. Progress Report for June 1958-February 1959

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4159163
A low intensity radiation facility is described which presents levels of radiation of 2, 5, 10, and 20 r per 23hour day. Tbis facility was used to investigate the influence of protein deficiencies on the rate of bone growth and maturation in albino rats subjected to continuous low intensity irradiation. Variations of dietary protein between 7 and 25% affected the density of growing bone, the rats on the higher protein levels exhibiting the greatest bone density. The effect of continuous gamma irradiation on bone density is inconclusive. The influence of chronic radiation on fetal development and longevity of Swiss albino mice was investigated. These animals can develop in a constant radiation field of 20 r per day, or below, and remain alive and apparently healthy aifter a total of 74 days or a cumulative radiation dose of 1480 r since conception. Preliminary data are presented which indicate that no differences in the mortality of pyridoxine and riboflavin deficient animals could be noted when irradiated and nonirradiated animals were compared. Preliminary evidence is presented that indicates that rats maintained on a 7% protein diet and exposed to gamma irradiation at the rate of 20 r per day (total dose: 1568 r) suffer a significantly greater weight loss than do non-irradiated controls maintained on a similar diet. Animals on the same diet, but at different levels of irradiation, do not show significant differences in weight loss nor do other protein diet animals. (auth)
Research Organization:
Texas. Agricultural and Mechanical Coll., College Station. Engineering Experiment Station. Radiation Biology Lab.
NSA Number:
NSA-14-014653
OSTI ID:
4159163
Report Number(s):
AD-212169
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English