Induction of Cataracts in Mice by Slow Neutrons and X-rays. ∗

Summary and conclusions

The lens of the mouse is extremely sensitive to the induction of opacities by both X-rays and slow neutrons. As small a dose as 32 r of total body X-rays causes a slight increase in the per cent of mice developing opacities of the lens. With larger doses the cataract induction rate approaches 100%, the lesions are more severe, and the latency period is shorter. The morphological features of the radiation and senile cataracts of mice are described. The cataracts develop in the immature part of the lens (cortex), while the more mature part of it (nucleus) is spared. Slow neutrons are, on basis of LD-50, at least twice as effective in inducing cataracts as X-rays.