Abstract
Summary
Chickens given a lethal dose of γ-irradiation die of generalized vascular collapse within 24 hr after irradiation. This syndrome can be prevented by pretreatment with soybean trypsin inhibitor, cyclophos-phamide, or sublethal doses of irradiation; injection of trypsin, vitamin A, or cortisone gives partial protection. Hormonal bursec-tomy by testosterone, without cyclophos-phamide treatment does not protect nearly as effectively. Reconstitution of cyclophos-phamide-treated birds with bone marrow or lymphoid cells does not reinstate sensitivity to irradiation. Spontaneous reconstitution of this sensitivity after a sublethal dose of y-irradiation takes 7 to 10 days.
Variations in the sensitivities of four different chicken strains to the lethal effects of γ-irradiation and of iv-injected trypsin ran in parallel. The possible activation by irradiation of a kinin system to which chickens are particularly sensitive is discussed as the cause of death. It is also pointed out that parameters of irradiation-induced increased permeability in chickens strongly resemble those of the less dramatic permeability changes seen in mammals.
We wish to express our appreciation to Dr. W. P. McArthur from the Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania Dental School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for calling to our attention the phenomenon of acute X-irradiation mortality. Discussions with Dr. W. Troll from the Department of Environmental Medicine, N.Y.U. Medical School, have also been extremely helpful. The advice of Dr. Z. Ovary from our department about the use of Evans blue in the demonstration of enhanced permeability is greatly appreciated. We are grateful for the kind assistance and advice of Dr. I. Lerch from the Radiation Physics Department, N.Y.U., in arranging for the X-irradiation of chickens. Accomplished technical assistance was provided by Mr. P. Sanchez. The expert help of Mr. C. de Szalay in the photography is acknowledged.
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