title: Effect of electron radiation on aggressive behavior, activity, and hemopoiesis in mice.
abstract: The behavioral and physiological effects of 10 Gray (Gy) LINAC electrons in male Swiss-Webster mice were followed for 12 days postirradiation (PR). In Experiment 1, aggressive behavior was assessed in irradiated or sham-irradiated resident mice using a resident-intruder paradigm. Aggressive offensive behavior in the irradiated residents was significantly decreased beginning 2 to 5 days PR, and remained suppressed. Defensive behavior in the nonirradiated intruders was decreased significantly by day 5 PR. In Experiment 2, spontaneous locomotor activity was monitored. Ambulation of irradiated mice was significantly depressed from day 5 PR on, while rearing was affected as early as day 2 PR and remained suppressed. Body weights of irradiated animals were significantly decreased by 5 days PR. In Experiment 3, blood parameters were examined. Compared to sham-irradiated controls, leukocytes, erythrocytes, and hematocrit of irradiated mice were reduced significantly beginning on day 1 PR and remained suppressed, while platelets and hemoglobin were decreased beginning day 2 PR. These results demonstrate that 10 Gy of high-energy electrons results in earlier behavioral deficits than has been observed previously with the same dose of gamma photons.
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Maier
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Landauer
authors: H D
authors: HD
authors: Davis
authors: T L
authors: TL
authors: Walden
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D004583:Electrons; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice