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CHANGES IN SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICES IN GUINEA-PIGS SUFFERING FROM ACUTE RADIATION SICKNESS

Journal Article · · Probl. Lab. Radiobiol., L'vovsk. Gos. Univ.
OSTI ID:4686386

Guinea pigs were exposed to total-body radiation with x rays at a rate of 33.9 to 58.8 r/min from a distance of 40 to 50 cm in a lethal dose of 500 r, sublethal dose of 100 r, and an intermediate dose of 300 r. After the exposure, the changes in the white cell count and in the hemoglobin level were followed up until the animal died. The findings obtained on the same animals before exposures served as control level. The guinea pigs' symptoms of radiation sickness and the autopsy findings were also recorded. In some experiments the guinea pigs were exposed a second time to total-body radiation, 2.5 to 5 months after the first exposure. A dose of 100 r caused a nonlethal radiation sickness which was accompanied by a moderate anemia and leucopenia. A dose of 500 r caused the death of 77.5% of the animals and the radiation sickness was accompanied by marked anemia and leucopenia. The survival of some of the animal suggests the existence of individual differences in the resistance to radiation. Females proved to be less resistant to radiation than males: for example, after exposure to 500 r, marked leucopenia occurred in 1/2 of the females and only 1/2 of the males, very low hemoglobin levels (20 to 30%) were found in 8 out of 22 females and 11 out of 67 males, and the radiation sickness led to the animals' death in 20 out of 22 females and only in 49 out of 89 males. ff surviving animals were exposed a second time, they appeared to have an increased resistance to lethal doses. Immunization with Clostridium perfringens did not aggravate the course of radiation sickness. (OTS)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-17-030414
OSTI ID:
4686386
Journal Information:
Probl. Lab. Radiobiol., L'vovsk. Gos. Univ., Journal Name: Probl. Lab. Radiobiol., L'vovsk. Gos. Univ. Vol. Vol: No. 1
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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