[Influence of x-rays on the B- and T-cells in the spleen of mice and their reaction on mitogenetic substances (author's transl)].

Total irradiation of mice with 100 R, 350 R and 600 R leads to a significant decrease of T- and B-cells which depends directly on the irradiation dose. This decrease can already be demonstrated on the first day after the irradiation, it reaches its culminating point on the tenth day after the irradiation. After an irradiation with 100 R, the cells of the spleen or irradiated mice show no reduced capacity of being stimulated by phytohemagglutinine, Pokeweed mitogen, and concanavalin A, in case of an irradiation with 350 R this capacity is significantly reduced only until the third day after the irradiation. The animals irradiated with 600 R show a decrease on the first day, then they have a phase of recovery on the third day which is followed by a second decrease (biphasic depression). Independently of the irradiation energy, the reduced number of B- and T-cells in the irradiated mice returns to normal values until the 48th day of observation. The functional activities, however, show a disturbance the extension and duration of which are depending on the irradiation dose.