Effect of ultrasound on chromosomes of lymphocyte cultures.

In-vitro experiments have been undertaken to assess the effect of ultrasound at diagnostic and therapeutic levels on chromosomes of human lymphocyte cultures. The frequency used was about 2 MHz. The intensity was that of diagnostic level, 23 mW/cm(2), which was increased stepwise to 3.5 W/cm(2). The time of exposure varied from two to eight hours. No difference could be detected between the numbers of cells with aberrations in the insonated and control cultures, but aggregation of red cells was observed at high intensities.