Chromosomal Aberrations in Pig Lymphocytes after Neutron Irradiation in Vitro

Abstract

Pig lymphocytes were irradiated in vitro with 60Co .gamma. rays and with neutron beams: moderated fission neutrons of maximum energy 1.35 MeV, cyclotron neutrons of maximum energy 16, 33 and 50 MeV. Results for the distributions of dicentrics, for dose-effect curves and for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutrons vs. .gamma. rays are presented. Dosimetry and microdosimetry were performed for the neutron beams; an attempt is made to relate the physics studies to the radiobiological results. Using a biophysical model to explain the formation of dicentrics in pig lymphocytes, i.e., the microdosimetric model, this formation can be realized in a site with a diameter of about 0.7 .mu.m.