The Influence of Hypothermia Involving Minimal Hypoxia on the Radiosensitivity of Leucocytes in the Rat

Summary

Rats were irradiated with 357 rads of gamma-rays, some at normal body-temperatures and some at body-temperatures of less than 5°c. The method of induction of hypothermia was designed to produce minimal anoxia. White-cell counts were performed up to seventeen days after irradiation. Depression of the lymphocyte count was seen in all animals irradiated, recovery being nearly complete at the end of the study. The depression observed was similar in the cooled and uncooled groups, apart from the values obtained two days after irradiation. It is concluded that hypothermic radioprotection of the lymphopoietic tissues is dependent on anoxia.