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Infrared Thermometry for Acute Radiation Syndrome in Mice
Yu A Zrilova1, T M Bychkova2,3, Т А Karaulova2
1Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Centre, Federal Medical Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia. uzrilova@gmail.com.
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
|October 9, 2022
Summary
Non-contact infrared thermometry can predict animal death from acute radiation syndrome. Lower body temperatures in mice correlated with increased mortality risk, offering a new prognostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Radiation biology
- Animal physiology
- Biomedical instrumentation
Background:
- Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) poses a significant threat, necessitating reliable methods for prognosis.
- Monitoring physiological changes in irradiated animals is crucial for understanding ARS progression.
- Non-contact thermometry offers a non-invasive approach to physiological assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of non-contact infrared thermometry for predicting mortality in mice with ARS.
- To establish correlations between body temperature changes and survival outcomes following radiation exposure.
Main Methods:
- Female ICR CD-1 mice were exposed to a lethal dose of X-rays (7.25 Gy, LD100/30).
- Non-contact infrared thermometry was used to measure body temperature at various time points.
- Body weight was recorded concurrently to assess physiological status.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in body temperature (<36.4°C) was observed 1 and 5 days before death in 90% and 50% of irradiated mice, respectively.
- Decreased body temperature showed a strong correlation with reduced mean body weight (from 24g to 19g).
- These findings suggest temperature as a sensitive indicator of ARS severity.
Conclusions:
- Non-contact infrared thermometry is a viable tool for short- and medium-term prognosis of mortality in ARS.
- Body temperature monitoring can provide early warnings of impending death in irradiated animals.
- This technique offers a non-invasive method for assessing radiation injury and guiding supportive care.
