Effects of X-irradiation on rat hair follicles.
The alterations of normal growth of hair follicles following irradiation of rat tails with X-rays have been analysed. The changes in follicle length are attributed to a series of deleterious events occurring in the hair matrix after irradiation. A dose-dependent reduction of length was demonstrated for a given post-irradiation interval. An approximate exponential response was obtained for all conditions excepting low doses for which a marked reduction of follicle length was observed a short time after irradiation and was ascribed to the depletion of highly radiosensitive cells. At later post-irradiation times this response was obscured by the resumption of follicle growth.
D000818:Animals; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006197:Hair / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors