The Effect of Gamma Radiation on Mitosis in vitro

A photographic study has been made of the duration of mitosis in cells in culture before and after exposure to doses of ? rays ranging from 55 r to 1320 r delivered at a dose-rate of 22 r/min. Cultures irradiated under the same conditions were fixed and stained for histological examination. The total mitotic count was appreciably reduced after each exposure.The abnormalities seen in the stained preparations were numerous even after the lowest dose. It would appear, however, that a proportion of cells which on staining show recognisable abnormalities are still able to complete division within the normal time limits.