A Simple Mathematical Model for Life-shortening by Radiation

Abstract

Assuming a linearity of Gompertz function, the effects of radiation on the two parameters of Gompertz function were estimated for single or continuous exposure. The dependence of the two parameters on dose or dose-rate were given in analytic forms. In the range of dose usually used in mice experiments, the percents of life-shortening yield approximately the same values, irrespective of measures such as mean, median, or mode of survival time. The mathematical model describes the data on life-shortening, Gompertz function and daily death distribution with consistency.