The possibilities of scintigraphic visualization of surfactants in the lung of the rat.

Incorporation of radioactive iodine into the surfactant system of the rat lung has been studied. Specially prepared particles labelled by 125I-oleic acid or 131I-oleic acid were injected intravenously and the distribution of radioiodine in the body of the animals was observed at various time intervals by means of a gamma camera and a gamma counter. The results showing appreciable accumulation of isotope in the lungs and the surfactant phospholipids, constitute a basis for the development of a new scintigraphic method for studying metabolic functions and morphology of the lung.