The effect of x-ray induced mitotic delay on chromosome aberration yields in human lymphocytes

The extent to which X-ray induced mitotic delay at 150 and 400 rad influences chromosome aberration yields was examined in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The dicentric was used as a marker and aberration yields were obtained for mixed cultures prepared from equal numbers of normal and irradiated cells. The cultures were terminated following incubation times of 36–120 h. Greater mitotic delay of the order of a few hours was observed at the higher dose. However most reduction in the numbers of lymphocytes arriving at metaphase by 48 h may be ascribed to interphase death or failure to transform. Analysis of the dicentric distributions which were expected to follow Poisson statistics indicated that cells containing dicentrics were delayed relative to irradiated but aberration-free cells. Cells with one dicentric moved more easily through the first cell cycle than cells containing two dicentrics. Following accidental partial body irradiation, selection in culture favouring the unirradiated lymphocytes does not distort the aberration yield sufficiently to warrant incubation times in excess of the standard 48-52 h.