IMMUNOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF ANTIBODIES AS POSSIBLE END-POINTS IN EVALUATING THE RADIOBIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO TRITIUM

Using an adaptation of the radioimmunoassay technique, the present stu dy reports on immunochemical parameters of the antibodies synthesized in vivo against progesterone by rats previously exposed to long-term i nternal contamination with tritiated water. The antibody concentration of the antisera and the equilibrium constant of the antibody-antigen reaction were measured in vitro. The corresponding dose range of the i rradiation was between 6 and 569 mGy. An increase of the affinity cons tant of the antibodies produced by the irradiated organisms was found for the corresponding doses of up to 60 mGy. The antibody concentratio n seems to decrease for doses above 30 mGy,