Ultrastructural Alterations in X-irradiated Spleen

Summary

The recovery process in the spleen after irradiation of the rat consisted of removal of the cellular debris by active phagocytic cells, which was complete by 24 hours after irradiation. Plasma-cell proliferation was noticed 3 days after irradiation and reached a peak at 1 week and is most probably due to the stimulating effect of x-ray.

Compensatory extra-medullary haematopoiesis was at maximum at 2 weeks after irradiation, however, the number of megakaryocytes was at a peak 3 weeks after irradiation.

Repopulation of lymphocytes began 1 week after irradiation and was complete by 3 weeks.