Evaluation of Radiation Response as an Index of Aging in Mice

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Abstract
Life table data were obtained on 3904 RF/J female mice. Approximately half the mice received 400 r of X-rays at 90 days of age. Gross mortality rates in the irradiated population showed marked departures from the Gompertz equation. Median life span was shortened by 178 days. Correction of mortality rates for leukemia incidence enabled a reasonably good fit of the Gompertz equation to data from both populations. The corrected data indicated a life shortening of 24 days per 100 r of exposure. The LD3050 was found to decline approximately linearly with age. No pronounced effect of previous exposure was observed. Survival under daily exposure to 100 r/day declined with age in a complex manner. Previously irradiated animals were generally more sensitive than controls. The recovery rate as estimated by split doses declined sharply with age. Recovery rates in previously irradiated mice were considerably lower than those in controls of comparable ages. None of the radiation responses measured showed a consistent relationship to mean life expectancy. It was concluded that radiation exposure does not cause a true, nonspecific, premature aging but selectively damages certain organ systems.

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