Effect of gamma-irradiation on the development of the femur of the chick embryo

In this work 90 fresh fertile Dokki-4 eggs were used. The eggs were divided into two groups. The first group [30 eggs] was regarded as control. The second group [60 eggs] was irradiated with a single dose [50 rads] of gamma rays on the 48 hours of incubation. The embryos were extracted on the 14th and 19th days of incubation, decalcified and fixed in Bouin's fluid for 7 days. Paraffin sections were prepared in the usual manner and stained with Hx and E. The femur of 14 and 19 days irradiated chick embryos showed evidence of retardation of growth, as diminution of the length and deformity of the shape of the femur. Thin periosteum with interrupted bone trabeculae were present among the changes seen in the femur. Also, wideness of the bone marrow cavity with necrosis of its content were found. The osteoblasts and the osteocytes appeared small in size with decrease in their number