Effect of Granulocyte Count and Litter on Survival of Irradiated Mice

Abstract

Survival of mid-lethally irradiated mice was associated with the granulocyte count taken either 4 or 7 days after irradiation. There was no association between lymphocyte count and survival. The clustering of survival in litters was highly significant in contrast to the clustering of relatively high granulocyte counts. The occurrence of Pseudomonas, Proteus, alpha-streptococcus and negative cultures, but not Escherichia coli in postmortem blood was significantly influenced by litter.