The R.B.E. of Different Energy Neutrons as Measured by the Haematopoietic Spleen-colony Technique

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Abstract
The spleen-colony technique was used for determining the relative biological effectiveness (r.b.e.) for several energies of neutron radiation. Donor mice were exposed to fission and accelerator-generated neutrons at a variety of doses and energies. Immediately after exposure, donor bone-marrow was removed from the hind legs and standard amounts were injected i.v. into lethally X-irradiated recipients. After 7 days the recipients spleens were evaluated for surface colonies. Dose-response curves were obtained for each type of radiation and the dose which induces a decrease in colony forming units by 63% [D0] was determined. The neutron r.b.e. values from the D0 compared with 250 kVp X-rays were: reactor 1.58, 252Cf 1.59 and accelerator varied from 2.85 at 1.0 Mev to 0.85 at 13.4 MeV.