Experimental Studies with Radioactive Iron

Abstract

The incorporation of radioactive iron into the circulating red cells can be used as a quantitative criterion of the impairment of bone marrow function by ionizing radiations or chemical agents. Studies are described of the experimental factors affecting the uptake of iron in the red cells of the rat following the injection of radioactive iron 59Fe by various routes. Preliminary measurements are reported of the depression of uptake caused by whole body irradiation of the depression of uptake caused by whole body irradiation of the animal with doses of 250 kVp X rays in the range 25–400 r. Statistical analysis of the experimental data shows that using groups of five animals, the effects of a whole body dose of 30 r can be detected.