Abstract
A series of 18 experiments involving a total of 1506 chicks were conducted to evaluate the comparative efficiency of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from different sources (homologous, autologous, and heterologous) in post-irradiation therapy. DNA was injected following lethal irradiation of the recipient, to determine if homologous DNA molecules could be utilized by the irradiated host cells as sequentially arranged nucleotides bearing genetic expression. Also an in vitro study was made to determine the ability for DNA to pass into and out of chicken erythrocytes. The data show that the chicks which were injected with autologous DNA had a survival rate significantly higher than that of irradiated untreated controls. The survival rate of chicks injected with autologous DNA was not dependent upon any particular route of administration (intravenous, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous) and absorption of the DNA took place without any evidence of harmful reactions. The therapeutic effect of autologous DNA was found to increase as the amount injected increased within the limits studied. The highest concentration studied was 1800 micrograms. This was the maximum DNA yield obtainable from chicks 14 days of age without causing death of the bird prior to irradiation &
Nambiar, K. Govindan (1968). A study of genetic incorporation of extracellular deoxyribonucleic acid by irradiated host cells. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -172738.