Locomotor behavior in mice following exposure to fission-neutron irradiation and trauma

Locomotor activity, body weights, and food and water consumption were monitored in female mice for 35 d following a sublethal wound (W), burn (B), exposure to 3 Gray fission neutron radiation (R), or combination of these injuries: radiation-wound (RW) and radiation-burn (RB). Activity in groups W and RW was depressed immediately after injury, with recovery to control levels after 5 and 14 d, respectively. Mice that received radiation alone showed a biphasic response with decrements in activity on days 0-4 and 9-11. Groups B and RB exhibited depressed activity levels that differed significantly from control levels until day 17. Food intake was reduced for about 6 d in groups R, W, RW, and RB. Body weights decreased for 4 d in groups R, W, RW, and RB, but returned to control levels by the end of the experiment. Animals in group B did not show significant reduction in food intake or body weight. Water consumption was reduced for 5-6 d in groups R and RB and was increased in groups W, RW, and B. The data suggest that behavioral responses to fission-neutron radiation are exacerbated by tissue trauma.