The effects of X-irradiation on the postnatally-forming granule cell populations in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebellum of the rat.

Beginning on the second postnatal day, either two (2X group), four (4X group) or six (6X group) daily or alternate daily exposures to lowlevel X-irradiation (150-200 r) were used to interfere with the acquisition of granule cells in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and cerebellum of the rat. At 60 days of age, the relationship between post-irradiation recovery and permanent granule cell loss was assessed with two quantitative techniques. First, the total number of granule cells was determined to estimate the magnitude of permanent loss. Secondly, the number of labeled granule cells were counted on day 60 after a 3H-thymidine injection given on either day 15 or on day 20 to estimate differential rates of cell proliferation during the recovery period. Permanent loss of granule cells was sustained in all regions by all schedules of irradiation. The time for the most effective exposures was earlier in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb than in the cerebellum. In all regions, both the irradiated groups and the controls showed a decrease in the level of cell proliferation #between 15 and 20 days. The number of cells that could be labeled after either the 15 or 20 day injection was below control levels for all groups in the hippocampus, at control levels for all groups in the cerebellum, and either at (2X and 4X) or below (6X) control levels in the olfactory bulb. These results are discussed in the light of the formation time of the granule cells in each region.