Radiation-Induced Temporary Partial Epilation in the Pig: A Biological Indicator of Radiation Dose and Dose Distribution to the Skin

Radiation damage to the matrix cells of actively growing hairs can result in transient epilation in the pig, the severity of which can be assessed using a visual scoring system. The extent of hair loss was found to be dose-dependent for single doses in the range 6 - 14 Gy for 250 kV X rays. The ED50 for detectable hair loss was 9.83 ± 0.58 Gy whilst that for the loss of >50% of hairs was 13.78 ± 0.90 Gy. The system is simple, non-invasive and would appear to have considerable potential for use in biological dosimetry for high exposures that are likely to require local treatment.