Abstract
A comparison of the cytoplasmic changes induced in the Walker rat carcinoma 256 by different types and dosages of radiation revealed disorganization in the Golgi apparatus and little, if any, change in the mitochondria. 1 In that series of experiments it was noted that the enlargement of the Golgi region in the disorganization process seemed to bear some relationship to the dosage of irradiation, the greater the dosage the more marked the enlargement and density of the blackened mass. A. subsequent series of experiments was carried out to test the effect of a variation in the milli-amperage with all other factors unchanged as nearly as possible from, the earlier series.
The disorganization of the Golgi apparatus and mitochondrial changes have been reported by several workers based on studies on the effects of radiation. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 Heilbrunn's 6 review of the literature in Duggar's Biological Effects of Radiation shows that radiation has a destructive effect on mitochondria. It is interesting to note that Emmel 7 noted a period of fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus and a darker staining osmic impregnated cytoplasmic area in the cells of the Ringer perfused frog's kidney.
In general the same procedure was followed as in the previous experiments. Rats bearing 10-day-old tumors were used for irradiation. Only the rats bearing uniformly growing, hard, nonnecrotic tumors were used. The tumor growth characteristics are well known and came from the laboratory's continuously inbred strain of Sloniker white rats. No premature death of animals or change in the growth characteristics of the tumor, such as undue necrosis, occurred in this series of experiments.
The following is an outline of the experiments:
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