THE ACCUMULATION AND DESTRUCTIVE ACTION OF ASTATINE211(EKA-IODINE) IN THE THYROID GLAND OF RATS AND MONKEYS*†

Abstract

A disturbance in rate of growth of female albino rats and male and female rhesus monkeys was demonstrated following the administration of At211 and has been compared to that seen in rats given I131. The initial effect upon growth of the rat following At211 or I131 at lethal levels may be ascribed to acute radiation injury. Later disturbances in growth appear to be a result of radiothyroid-ectomy by either of these radiohalogens. There appeared to be both qualitative and quantitative differences between acute histological effects of I131 and At211 in the thyroid glands of both rats and monkeys without damage to the parathyroid glands or peritracheal structures while in the rat there is seen widespread damage in the peritracheal region in chronic I131 experiments. A high incidence of mammary neoplasms was seen in the rat following admn. of At211.