Abstract
Protein-depletion materially increases susceptibility to total-body irradiation in rats. Male rats incurring a 25% weight reduction while on a protein-poor (1.9% protein) diet showed a LD50/30 of 520r. Control rats of similar age and of similar weight on a high-protein diet (22% protein) showed a LD50/30 of 700r. Age and weight appear to have little effect on radiation susceptibility in young adult male rats.