Abstract
Recently, chronic gamma radiation exposure on biological effects in middle dose-rates have become a serious concern. We investigated the biological effects of middle dose chronic exposure to gamma ray. Fifty male 6-week-old specific free Balb/c mice were randomly divided into five groups (four groups irradiated and one non-irradiated control group). Gamma radiation exposed in Gamma phytotron on Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (Jeongeup, Korea). Irradiation was carried out for 1 or 2 weeks using gamma rays at dose rates of 45 and $50mGy\;h^{-1}$ with total doses 7.56 Gy ($45mGy\;h^{-1}$, 1 week), 8.4 Gy ($50mGy\;h^{-1}$, 1 week), 15.12 Gy ($45mGy\;h^{-1}$, 2 weeks) and 16.8 Gy ($50mGy\;h^{-1}$, 2 weeks). After irradiation, immediately we sacrificed and counted body and organ weights. Moreover we counted spleen cell numbers. Compared with control non-irradiated group, all irradiated groups of body and spleen weights showed significant decreased. However, no significant alteration was observed between same irradiated period groups. In spleen cell numbers, reduced compared to the control group. However, significant alteration was observed between same irradiated period groups ($45mGy\;h^{-1}$, $50mGy\;h^{-1}$). These results demonstrated biological effects according to the radiation dose rate and irradiated period.