[Radiotherapy in small animal medicine: fundamentals, indications and significance].

This article describes the general principles of radiation therapy, reviews the indications for this treatment modality and discusses the response of tumors and normal tissue to radiation. Radiation modalities and treatment protocols currently available in Switzerland are presented. Treatments of spontaneous tumors in animals contribute to the development of radiation therapy in human medicine at the same time.

Urination frequency and cystic pressure resistance after fractionated whole or partial irradiation of the rabbit urinary bladder.

Urination frequency and cystic pressure resistance have been used as end-points to assess x-ray-induced changes of bladder function. Whole or half bladders of adult male rabbits were irradiated, caudally or cranially. The absorbed dose was 33 Gy, 36 Gy or 39 Gy, given in 5 daily fractions.

Comments on radiation dosimetry and linear energy transfer.

The quantification of the physical effects of ionizing radiation in human tissue is the basis of risk assessment. This quantification results from determination of kerma or absorbed dose. The procedure for the absolute determination of absorbed dose with an ionization chamber is discussed.

Combined application of misonidazole and piotron pions on mouse embryos.

Mouse embryos on day 8 of gestation were irradiated with negative pions (12.5-100 rad) or 200 kV X-rays (12.5-150 rad).

Low-dose effects of X-rays and negative pions on the pronuclear zygote stage of mouse embryos.

Mouse embryos in the pronuclear-zygote stage (day 0 of gestation) were irradiated with 13.5 rad of 140kV X-rays or negative pions. On day 13 the fetuses were examined for developmental anomalies such as intrauterine death, growth retardation and malformations.