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The effects of ionizing radiation on the peripheral blood elements of ICR mouse were examined after varying doses of whole-body gamma-irradiation. ICR mice (n=50) were exposed to 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy gamma-ray (^60Co) at 10 Gy/min. The animals were studied for their hematological response on days, 3, 7, 14, 21, 42 and 56 post irradiation. No significant change was noted in erythrocyte, hemoglobin and hematocrit values after irradiation with dose of 2 Gy. Decreasing erythrocyte, hemoglobin and hematocrit values occured after irradiation with doses of more than 4 Gy on day 7 after irradiation followed by a sharp fall on day 14. A recovery in these values was noted after 3 weeks of irradiation. Thrombocyte counts decreased on day 3, reaching minimal values on day 7. The total number of leukocytes was reduced on day 3, mainly because of a decrease in the lymphocyte population. An evident lymphopenia and neutropenia occur almost on the day 3 and last up to the day 28 after irradiation. All of the hematological values decreased in the blood in a dose-dependent manner at the same time.
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