Hypoxia in Mouse Intestine Induced by Electron Irradiation at High Dose-rates

Abstract

SummaryThe effectiveness of radiation in killing mice within 4–5 days of whole-body irradiation is reduced for mice breathing oxygen during irradiation when the dose-rate is increased above 6 krads/min. The effectiveness of the radiation is not changed if the mice breath nitrogen during irradiation. This is considered to validate the hypothesis that at dose-rates above 6 krads/min the tissue oxygen tension may be reduced by the consumption of oxygen by the radiation products. A reduction in the biological effect of radiation will be observed when the dose is sufficiently high to reduce the oxygen tension in the tissues to levels which give some protection.