Effects of sublethal doses of gamma radiation on the developing rat brain. synthesis of nucleic acids.

Newborn rats were irradiated with 60Co gamma rays. Doses of 0, 0.8 or 1.6 Gy were given to the whole body. The body and brain weights, DNA and RNA contents of the brain and 3H-thymidine or H-uridine incorporated by the brain were measured at 5, 10, or 15 days after birth. A dose of 1.6 Gy produced alterations in the brain weight and the DNA and RNA contents of the brain while no clear effects could be detected after 0.8 Gy.