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LONG-TERM RAT FEEDING STUDIES ON IRRADIATED CHICKEN STEW AND IRRADIATED CABBAGE

Journal Article · · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (U.S.)

S>Chicken stew was exposed to sterilizing doses of Co/sup 60/ gamma radiation and cabbage to pasteurizing doses. Evaluation for wholesomeness was made by feeding to four successive generations of rats. The stew (0, 2.79, and 5.58 Mrad) and raw cabbage (0, 279, and 558 krad) were combined, each at 35% of the final diet solids, with other nonirradiated ingredients to provide a nutritionally adequate ration. Before use in diet preparation, the irradiated chicken stew was stored at 75 deg F, control stew at 5 deg F for 3-6 months, and both irradiated and control cabbage at 35-40 deg F for 2-4 weeks. Soon after weaning, parent-generation rats were then given the diets for 104 weeks: succeeding generations were fed for shorter periods. Growth of parent-generation rats was not influenced by the irradiated foods, nor generally that of second- and third-generation animals. No effects were observed on the reproductive performance of three generations or on longevity of parent-generation animals. Pathologic and hematologic findings were similar in test and control animals. Rats fed both foods treated with max dose manifested the following significant changes in duodenal enzymes: decreased levels for alkaline phosphatase in both sexes and monoamine oxidase in females, increased alanyl- BETA -aminopeptidase and 2-naphthyl octanoate esterase activity in females. Sucrase, glutamic- oxalacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminases were unaffected by feeding irradiated foods. In contrast to these results on young rats, adult animals given the irradiated food failed to show any effects upon intestinal mucosal levels of hexokinase, sucrase, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamicoxalacetic transaminase. The incidence of tumors was similar in both experimental and control groups. It is concluded that growing rats are inore sensitive than adult rats to factors that alter tissue enzyme activities. (H.H.D.)

Research Organization:
Univ. of Syracuse, N.Y.
NSA Number:
NSA-17-034200
OSTI ID:
4668094
Journal Information:
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (U.S.), Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 5; ISSN TXAPA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English