The Influence of Strain on Acute X-Ray Lethality in the Mouse: I. LD 50 and Death Rate Studies

Abstract

During the past three years, the X-ray LD50(28) for five strains of mice was determined in thirty-three experiments. Since standardized methods were used throughout, it was permissible to bring together the data for each strain and to analyze them with respect to (1) the variability of the LD50(28), (2) the nature of the dose-effect curve, and (3) the temporal distribution of deaths after irradiation. The strains used are considered to be genetically stable and distinct, and major differences in their sensitivity to X-rays are therefore likely to be a result of the differences in their genetic constitution.