Pathological changes in the anatomy of the digestive tract in irradiated sheep

Pathological and anatomic changes in the gastrointestinal tract of small ruminants (sheep) and correlation between these findings and clinical picture excited by X-radiation were investigated. 48 domestic Pramenka breed female sheep, 2-3 years old, 26-39 kg of weight were used in the investigation. The animals were divided into several experimental groups and the control. The experimental groups were radiated with the following doses:group A - 1.47 Gy group B - 2.50 Gy, group C - 3.46 Gy, group D - 4.04, group E - 4.66 and group F - 5.49 Gy. All group A animals survived, 1 died and 5 survived in group B, 2 died and 4 survived in group C, 5 died and 1 sirvived in group D and in groups E and F all animals died. The clinical picture of acute radiation syndrome is a side effect in the dead and some survived animals. Seven days after radiation clinical symptoms of radiation disease were shown (apathy, loss of appetite, overall weakness, diarrhea). In the 2 nd stage there was temperature increase (40-42'C), loss of weight and intensive diarrhea. Manifestations of various breeding are present. In gastrointestinal tissue segments a wide spectrum of morphological microscopic manifestations, heavy inflammations and destructive changes, were found, and their heaviness depends on the irradiation degree and the time of surviving after radiation. The following is stated in the conclusion: -In the development of acute radiation disease of sheep radiated with high X-ray doses, changes in the gastrointestinal tract are dominant. They are shown in clinical symptoms, as well as in pathomorphological findings. Heaviness of the changes is in proportion with the radiation intensity. Occurrence of the haemorrhagic syndrome is, most probably, consequence of disorders in capillary walls and blood coagulation system.