The Relationship between ⁵⁹Fe Uptake in Marrow and ²³⁹Pu Deposition in Bone

Summary

The marrow in the left femur of each of 17 mice was destroyed by X-irradiation and ⁵⁹Fe and ²³⁹Pu uptake into both femurs was measured 1, 3 and 7 days later. Uptake of ⁵⁹Fe into marrow was depressed in the left femur 1 and 3 days after irradiation but was enhanced in the right unirradiated femur 3 days after the left femur was irradiated. There was no corresponding depression of ²³⁹Pu uptake into the left irradiated femur or enhancement into the right unirradiated femur. These results do not support the view that a functioning erythropoietic marrow is necessary for ²³⁹Pu to be deposited in bone.