Differential rates of loss of chromosomes aberrations in rat thyroids after X rays or neutrons

Rat thyroid glands were exposed in vivo to 5.5-Gy X rays or 2.75-Gy neutrons (14.7 MeV) and cell proliferation was stimulated by goitrogen treatment at various intervals up to 48 weeks postirradiation. The amount of chromosome damage in stimulated follicular cells declined much more slowly after neutron than X irradiation, suggesting differential repair. This observation may be relevant to the question of residual cellular damage and oncogenesis after X rays and neutrons.