Evaluation of low dose diagnostic X-rays induced effect on the white blood cells count in Guinea pigs

Background: exposure to ionizing radiation is known to have various effects onhematological parameters of biological sample. this study was aimed at evaluatingthe effect of ionizing radiation on some hematological parameters in guinea pigs.materials and methods: thirty-six (36) apparently healthy adult guinea pigs ofboth sexes weighing between 700g – 1200g were used in the present study. theguinea pigs were categorized into three groups, 12 per group; group a (control),group b, and c were exposed to x-rays within the diagnostic range, using 70 kv and12.5mas; using x-ray machine ms-185, serial no. 0904 ge at a source to skindistance (ssd) of 90cm. blood samples were collected from all the guinea pigs atintervals of 1 hour, 24 hours 72 hours, 168 hours and 336 hours post-irradiation,and subjected to standard hematological analysis. results: a continuous decline inthe mean total white blood cell count and mean lymphocyte, monocyte,neutrophil and eosinophil count a9er 1hour in both groups was observed,and more pronounced a9er 24 hours post-irradiation. however, stability wasobserved 72 hours post-irradiation in both groups. conclusion: this studyfound a depleting effect of low dose ionizing radiation on white blood cell count,with appreciable recovery occurring a9er 72 hours onward.