Biology ETDs

Yu-Chong Lin

Publication Date

1964

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to define the extent to which lowered body temperature changes biological half-time and distribution of radiosotopes in tissues.

Metabolism of radioisotopes may be expected to be temperature dependent as the metabolism of many electrolytes has been demonstrated to involve temperature dependent mechanisms such as enzymatic transfer.

The effect of temperature on Cs 137 distribution in the mammalian hibernator, Citellus lateralis (Golden mantled ground squirrels) was studied. Experiments were conducted at the whole body and tissue levels. Radioactivity was measured with a small animal gamma scintillation detector. Whole body counts of animals given a single intraperitoneal injection of the radioisotope were measured daily; animals were sacrificed after first, second, third and fourth biological half-time and radioactivity of tissues was measured. Test conditions included cold exposure with and without hibernation. Cs 137 distribution in C. lateralis tissues expressed as Percent Administered Does times 100 (% dose x 100), Tissue Retention Index (TRI), and Relative Specific Activity (RSA) were calculated. TRI and RSA are new terminologies initiated in this dissertation.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

M.J. Riedbul

Second Committee Member

Illegible

Third Committee Member

Illegible

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