THE WEIGHT RESPONSE OF RATS EXPOSED TO FRACTIONATED DOSAGES OF 400 KV X- RAYS AND 20-22 MeV BETATRON X-RAYS AND ELECTRONS

The influence of fractionated dosages of various types of ionizing radiation (400 kv, 20 Mev x rays and 20 Mev electrons) was studied on the weight response of rats. The daily dosages ranged from 50 to 250 r per experimental group. The same rate of weight decrease comparing animals radiated with 150 r/ day (400 kv, x rays) to 250 r/day (20 Mev, x rays or electrons) indicates that the difference between these different radiations is only quantitative. This finding compares well with mortality studies. (auth)