Book Description

Rats and dogs were exposed to fast neutron and to 250 kvp X irradiation (rats) or to 1000 kvp X irradiation (dogs). Animals were exposed bilaterally to the whole body and depth dosimetry evaluated in each case. In the rat, 7 days after irradiating, bioelectric activity is markedly reduced from normal in stomach but not at the lower gastrointestinal level. An RBE value of 2-3 can be established for delayed reduction in gastric bioelectric activity, and this effect is readily demonstrated at neutron doses of 160 rad (1st collision). In the dog, 3 days after irradiating, the unidirectional transfer rates from plasma-to-lumen are decreased for sodium and for water. This occurs after X-irradiation at 1200 r (air dose) and after neutron irradiation at either 300 rad or 600 rad (1st collision). However, at 600 r X-irradiation doses (air) these transfer rates do not show a decrease, and tend in the opposite direction. An RBE value lying between 2 and 6 can be inferred for the delayed reduction in plasma-to-lumen transfers. (Author).