CHANGES IN THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE THYMUS OF PANIRRADIATED RATS

Journal Article · Sat Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper.

OSTI ID:4764112

Balboni, G C; De Dominicis, R

Electron microscopic studies were conducted on the thymus of rats 2 hr after exposure to 100-rad Co/sup 60/ whole-body irradiation. Light microscopy of irradiated thymus showed regressive changes in nuclei and cytoplasm of epithelial cells by this time but no macrophages around degenerating cells. Electron microscopy of thymocytes showed deformation of the nuclear membrane, which in some places became crinkled and double-layered. This was taken as evidence of incipient karyolysis. Chromatin became condensed around the periphery of the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, mitochondria showed vacuolation, with transformation into large vacuoles up to 1 mu in diameter, and decreased electron density. Ribonucleoprotein granules became more sparse and less dense. Changes in reticular cells resembled those described above in thymocytes, and some reticular cells contained dense bodies 1 to 2 mu diameter which may represent phagocytized pyknotic nuclei of degenerating thymocytes. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: Universita, Florence
• NSA Number: NSA-17-002839
• OSTI ID: 4764112
• Journal Information: Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper., Journal Name: Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. Sper. Vol. Vol: 37
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BODY
CELL NUCLEI
CHROMATIN
COBALT 60
CYTOLOGY
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
GAMMA RADIATION
MITOCHONDRIA
PROTEINS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RATS
RIBONUCLEIC ACID
THYMUS