The radiosensitivity of two variants of the Dunning Copenhagen rat prostatic tumor R3327 was investigated. The R3327-AT variant, which is a poorly differentiated anaplastic, fast-growing tumor, was irradiated both in vivo and in vitro. Following irradiation, monodispersed cells were plated in vitro and colonies were counted after 7 days. The survival curve of R3327-AT cells irradiated in vivo showed an initial shoulder (Dq-value 0.97 Gy), followed by two exponential parts. The D0-value for the first part of the curve (0-10 Gy) was 2.76 Gy and for the second part of the curve (greater than 10 gy) 9.05 Gy. Extrapolation of the second part of the curve to the Y-axis indicated that the proportion of more radioresistant cells was about 10%. The survival curve for R3327-AT cells irradiated in vitro also suggested the presence of a radioresistant subpopulation, although the proportion was lower (about 3%). This difference might be due to the presence of an hypoxic fraction in the tumors irradiated in vivo, but not in vitro. Tumor cells from the R3327 tumor variant metastatic to lymph nodes and lungs (R3327-MATLyLu), were irradiated in vitro. The radiation effect was evaluated by in vitro colony formation in agar and by in vivo lung colony assay. The colony formation in agar yielded a D0-value of 1.09 Gy. No radioresistant subpopulation was identified in this variant. A similar radiosensitivity was observed by the in vivo lung colony assay (D0 1.39 Gy). The mean inactivation dose calculated for R3327-AT cells (3.45 Gy) was significantly higher than for the metastatic variant (2.00 Gy).