[Effects of ionizing radiation on catecholamine level in experimental animals].

The activity of neutrophilic myeloperoxidase and the levels of catecholamines in the peripheral red blood cells of the lactating rats exposed to total gamma-radiation in cumulative doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 Gy on days 8 to 18 of gestation were studied. It is shown that there are dose-dependent changes; with increasing radiation dosage, the activity of neutrophilic myeloperoxidase decreases and the levels of peripheral red blood cell catecholamines elevate. Exposed to small-dose radiation, the lactating rat's body seems to produce a more perfect mechanism responsible for the regulation of adaptive responses, which is suggested by a closer correlation when radiation is generated in doses of 0.5 and 1.0 Gy; the correlation decreases when the dose is increased.