Effects of single-dose partial-body x-irradiation on cell proliferation in the mouse small intestinal epithelium

The effects of partial-body, single-dose, x-irradiation on the cell kinetics of the mouse small intestine have been intensively studied. Irradiation of the intestinal region with the anterior part of the mouse shielded produced changes in the epithelial cells of the small intestine that were similar in character to that observed with whole-body irradiation but were less severe and recovery took place more rapidly. The recovery was related to an increase in the proliferative population and an acceleration of the cell cycle. The increased proliferativc population persisted longer in the partially shielded animals.