Bacterial and biochemical studies on gamma-irradiated swine

SUMMARY Six healthy 8-month-old Duroc barrows weighing 90 to 113 kg each were multilaterally exposed to 966 R of γ-radiation at the dose rate of 10.5 ± 0.6 R/hour and were evaluated for bacteriologic, hematologic, and blood serum alterations. A bacteremic state was not detected in 1 barrow. One barrow yielded isolates twice, and bacteremia developed terminally in the remaining barrows. At necropsy, the irradiated barrows yielded a greater number and variety of bacteria from muscles and organs than did the controls. All irradiated barrows had fewer circulatory leukocytes, blood platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. Lactic dehydrogenase activities increased (P < 0.05) during the first 23 hours of irradiation and decreased significantly by the 6th (P < 0.01) and 8th (P < 0.05) days and glucose values increased by the 8th day (P < 0.01). Rectal temperatures increased steadily after the 10th day in the irradiated barrows.