A: Plasma haptoglobin level was measured using a Hitachi 912 automatic analyser. For each day post-irradiation (1, 4, 10, 21, 31, 37, 50, 59, 71, 101), data represent average values obtained from the plasma of 4–5 hind limbs-protected rats, 4–5 head-protected rats and 5 age-matched control rats from the same batch. All animals were treated with Enrofloxacin. Insert shows average values of haptoglobin plasma levels obtained by pooling data from 10 to 101 days post-irradiation. The number of rats used is indicated on the bar chart. B: Plasma corticosterone levels were measured using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) kits. For each day post-irradiation (1, 4, 10, 21, 31, 37, 50, 59, 71, 101), data represent average values obtained from the plasma of hind limbs-protected rats, head-protected rats and age-matched control rats from the same batch. All animals were treated with Enrofloxacin. (*** (p<0.001); ** (p<0.01); * (p<0.05); n.s.: not significant).