Chromosome aberration peristence in swine leukocytes following exposure to fission neutrons

Chromosome aberration rates in swine lymphocytes decreased rapidly within the first 24 h postirradiation. This initial loss coincided with a decrease in lymphocyte number and continued until lymphocyte numbers began to recover at 7 days after irradiation. Subsequent losses were less dramatic, and numbers of acentric fragments reached preirradiation levels by 56 days postexposure; rings and dicentrics persisted throughout the 84-day study. Mathematical models descrine the predicted aberration yield as a function of time after irradiation. The disappearance rate of aberrant lymphocytes after irradiation suggests that anerration persistence kinetics should be considered when using lymphocyte aberrations as biologic dosimeters.