Behavior of swine leukocytes in culture after in vivo or in vitro gamma irradiation

Mature pigs were given 100, 200, 300, or 400 R (midline in air) exposures to gamma radiation at 50 R/min. Leukocyte cultures established from postirradiation blood and from samples simultaneously irradiated in vitro were evaluated at intervals up to 96 h in culture. White cell counts, the proportion of lymphocytes recovered, and the proportion of viable cells were reduced by irradiation, but not in a dose-related manner. The effects on labeling and mitotic indexes, polyploid rates, and nuclear volume increases were dose dependent. While considerable variability among animals existed, there was a close relationship between the in vivo and in vitro responses of their leukocytes.