Food and Water Consumption of Rats during Exposure to γ-Radiation

Abstract

Food and water consumption as well as body weight changes during exposure was investigated in rats. During protracted exposure to low intensity gamma radiation there is a decrease in food and water consumption as well as a loss in body weight. The effect is apparent during a single 8-hour exposure to 75 r. The decrease in water consumption becomes progressively more severe with repeated exposure to radiation. Two of 3 experiments indicate that food consumption also becomes altered according to the number of exposures. The decrease in water and food consumption appears to be restricted to the actual period of exposure since consumption between irradiations is at least that of sham-irradiated controls.