title: A comparative study of total body irradiation as a method of inducing granulocyte depletion in mice.
abstract: Since conventional methods of inducing depletion of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) in mice, such as treatment with cytostatic drugs and anti-PMN sera, proved to be insufficient to induce a stable PMN depletion for several days, and were accompanied by considerable toxic side effects, we induced neutrophil depletion in mice by total body irradiation (TBI) in a single dose of 6.0 Gy (600 rads.) at a dose rate of 0.20 Gy/min. This treatment reduced the number of PMNs in the peripheral circulation to values below 150/microliter from day 3-10 after irradiation. The number of lymphocytes fell simultaneously. Platelet counts remained above 60% of normal values during the first 7 days after irradiation. Complement levels were not significantly affected by TBI. The results show that TBI of 6.0 Gy induces pronounced and stable PMN depletion in mice for at least 7 days. Furthermore, under an aseptic regimen the mice can be kept in good condition and losses are less than 5%.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006041:Goats; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010976:Platelet Count; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D003165:Complement System Proteins