The effects of cosmic particle radiation on pocket mice aboard Apollo XVII: appendix II. Evaluation of oral, dental, and skeletal tissues.

A sparse neutrophilic leukocytic infiltrate was found in the gingival sulcus, both in the flight and the control animals, while no changes were observed in the palate. Mitoses in gingival and palatal tissues were in approximately equal numbers in all animal groups. The tongues of flight mice and controls contained areas characterized by vascular dilatation, separation of muscle bundles, and regressive and degenerative changes in muscle fibers. Mucous glands in the posterior part of the tongue of flight and control animals exhibited acinar distension. Also examined were the vertebral column; femur, knee joint, tibia and fibula of the right hindlimb; and the tracheal cartilages. No evidence of cosmic ray particle effects was found in any of these tissues.