The Effects of X-Rays on the Regrowth of Hair in the Mouse and Their Modification by Cysteamine

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Abstract
The mouse hair follicle was used as a biological model for studying relatively long-term radiation effects and for evaluating radioprotective agents. The flank hair was plucked 3 days before irradiation, and 4 areas were given exposures of varying magnitude (500 to 5000 R). It was found that the delay in regrowth and the permanent damage (at 100 days postirradiation and later) increased with increasing exposure. The effect of cysteamine in protecting the hair follicle was to diminish the delay of regrowth and the degree of permanent epilation, though the general character of the response was unchanged. The dose -reduction factor appeared to diminish with increasing dose of radiation. A tentative explanation for this finding, based on the hypothesis of there being some hypoxic cells present, is suggested. The advantages of this type of nondestructive radiobiological model are discussed.

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