Summary of latent effects in long term survivors of whole body irradiations in primates.

The USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Radiobiology Division, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas presently is maintaining a colony of over 450 primates in which the whole body has been exposed to various types of space radiation including protons and electrons. The majority of the primates (Macaca mulatta) were exposed during 1965. Types of radiation involved are 2 MeV X-rays, 5 MeV-2.3 GeV protons and 1.6 MeV electrons. Low energy proton dose range up to 3000 rad (50-100 rad min-1) whereas the penetrating energy doses range up to 700 rad (15-100 rad min-1). Primates from a simulated solar flare exposure are also included. In late 1970, a small group of primates exposed to 108 and 85 MeV alpha particles (eye and partial body only) were added to the colony. Data are available in the following areas: (i) chronic skin changes; (ii) testicular atrophy; (iii) cataractogenesis; (iv) hematological and serum biochemical analysis; (v) incidence of tumors; (vi) causes of death; (vii) body weight variations; and (viii) summary of alpha particle experiences.