The Deposition of 241Am and 252Cf in the Skeleton of Chinese Hamster, Syrian Hamster and the Rat

Abstract

More 252Cf than 241Am was found in bones of all species. Total radionuclide deposition in the skeleton was also markedly dependent on animal species. The skeletal 252Cf content decreased in the order rat > Syrian hamster > Chinese hamster (48.5, 39.5 and 30.2% of dose, respectively). The 241Am deposition in rat skeleton was lower than in hamsters (20.4, 29.1 and 23.3% of dose, respectively). In order to determine the distribution of the radionuclides between various parts of the skeleton, it was divided into 11 parts. Fractional radionuclide deposition in bone was similar for 241Am and 252Cf and to a considerable degree proportional to the fractional bone weight; it reflected species differences in gross anatomy of the skeleton. Factors for calculating total skeletal radioactivity from that in 1 femur were 20, 23 and 34 for rats, Syrian and Chinese hamsters, respectively.