Effect of Local Beta Irradiation from an External Source upon the Growth of the Bones and Some Other Tissues of Rats.

摘要

One-day-old rats were subjected to one -half (anterior or posterior) body irradiation by the beta rays of p(32). The skin exposure on the body was about 1,700 to 2,000 rep. The skin exposure on the tail, hands, feet, forearm, and leg was somewhat less than twice this. The animals were sacrificed at 200 days of age. No cutaneous tumors occurred. The irradiated animals weighed 5 to 10 per cent less than the controls. Males and females reacted alike. Changes were observed only in the part directly irradiated. The 'anterior' animals had significantly smaller ears, skulls, and forelimbs; the 'posterior' animals, tails, hindlimbs, and testes. Skeletal measurements are given. No effect was observed on the stomach, kidneys, liver, or heart.