MEASURING IRON METABOLISM IN HEMATOPOIETIC CENTERS USING 59Fe IN THE PRESENCE OF 51Cr AND 125I.

The 59Fe concentration in the hematopoietic centers sacrum, liver, and spleen can be accurately and reproducibly determined with a rate meter, a photomultiplier probe, and a scintillation crystal detection system. When the three isotopes 51Cr, 125I, and 59Fe are present, a 10 mm. lead filter screens out essentially all of the chromium and iodine isotope activity while allowing 60 of the 59Fe activity to pass. The use of a constant standard and the calculation of the R factor area of radiation sitearea of standard makes decay correction unnecessary. Since iron metabolism is normally measured as part of a larger study of erythrokinetics and blood parameters, this technic allows two or more isotope studies of hematopoietic centers to be conducted simultaneously. Author