Cobalt-Induced Polycythemia and Survival of X-Irradiated Albino Rats.

Abstract

Cobaltous chloride was incorporated in the diet of rats in the amounts of 0, 10, 20, 40, 70, and 100 ppm of added Co for 19 weeks prior to whole-body X-irradiation and 6 weeks after. The ratio of the increase in hemoglobin concentration in each polycythemic group to the normal increase in 14 weeks was directly proportional to the log of the concentration of added Co. The mortality rate after 750 r whole-body X-irradiation was higher in the rats with higher Hb concentration. There were no significant differences in plasma mucoprotein concentration between groups before irradiation, nor substantial changes at 48 hours after irradiation.