Late Effects of Total-Body Roentgen Irradiation. V. Longevity and Incidence of Nephrosclerosis as Influenced by Partial-Body Shielding

Abstract

After receiving 1000 r, hypoxic, total- or partial-body irradiation, 242 female Wistar rats were observed throughout their lifespan. Hypoxic irradiation with superimposed anesthesia resulted in 67 percent, 30-day mortality. Selection of the colony by acute postirradiation deaths did not influence the magnitude of late radiation sequelae as measured by life-shortening. Growth retardation during the 2d postirradiation year was well correlated with life-shortening. Life-shortening was observed after partial-body irradiation, to an extent approximately proportional to the weight of irradiated tissue. Nephrosclerosis was not observed unless the upper abdomen was included within the radiation field. Other than nephrosclerosis, a similar incidence of disease was observed, at death, in control and partial- or total-body irradiated rats.