THE NATURE OF THE EFFECT OF X-IRRADIATION IN DEPIGMENTATION

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4163141

Cohen, J

The depigmentation of hair and feather areas by x rays is discussed. Suggested explanations have involved the assumption that the melanoblasts are directly and quantitatively affected. This view wss critically evaluated. Tissue cultures from collars of white feathers growing in follicles that had already produced several generations of such white feathers after irradiation (neck feathers of Brown Leghorn capons), produced melanocytes comparable in numbers and appearance with those of control (pignnented feather) collar cultures. The papillae that had produced such a succession of depigmented feather generations were transplanted to unirradiated breast follicles. Here they continued to produce depigmented neck feather, although some at least were using local unirradiated pigment cells. lJnirradiated breast papillae in irradiated neck follicles produced only normally pigmented breast feathers through seven feather generations. It is suggested that this depigmentation is mediated by the ectoderm concerned and that the action of x rays, in this connection, is upon the melanoblast-ectoderm relationship known to be concerned in many pigmentation processes. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Birmingham, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-18-005018
• OSTI ID: 4163141
• Journal Information: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (U.S.), Journal Name: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 100; ISSN ANYAA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BIRDS
BREAST
CULTURES
CYTOLOGY
DISTRIBUTION
FEATHERS
HAIR
NECK
PIGMENTS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION EFFECTS
SKIN
TISSUES
TRANSPLANTS
VARIATIONS
X RADIATION