Cytomorphological changes of murine lymphocytes under the effect of fission neutrons

The cytomorphology of murine lymphocytes was examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy after fission neutron irradiation in the dose range of 0.5-4.5 Gy. The micromorphology of the cell surface changed significantly: the villous cell surface characteristic of lymphocytes became smooth. Cytoplasmic protrusions of various sizes and shapes appeared. In addition to the changes on the cell surface, alterations in cytoplasmic organelles and nuclear membranes were also observed. Even the forms of the nuclei had changed, the nucleoli were often segregated and at several sites accumulation of nuclear bodies was evident.