LYMPHOMA DEVELOPMENT AMONG MICE EXPOSED TO X-RAYS AND PULSED MAGNETIC-FIELDS

CBA mice were exposed to a total of 5.24 Gy X-rays (260 kV, 11 mA, 0.4 5 Gy/min), divided into four exposures, and to saw-tooth 15muT (peak t o peak) pulsed vertical 20 kHz magnetic fields for their life-time. In parallel, series with magnetic fields only or non-exposed animals wer e run. The animals were observed for their life-time. The frequency of lymphomas was 65.7% in the X-ray group and 71.4% in the groups expose d to both X-ray and magnetic field. Of the non-exposed control animals , and of the animals exposed to magnetic fields only 6.4 and 5.7% had lymphomas, respectively. There were no statistically significant diffe rences between the magnetic field series and the corresponding control s for lymphomas. Blood cell counts and haemoglobin data did not show d ifferences between the X-irradiated, and X-ray and magnetic field-expo sed groups. Mononuclear cells and total leukocytes were elevated for p ulsed magnetic fields-exposed animals compared with the non-exposed co ntrols. This difference was due to two animals with extreme values. In the pulsed magnetic fields treated group there was a statistically si gnificant increase of the carcass weight compared with the non-treated control group.