Leukopenia and Changes in Differential Leucocyte Counts Produced in Rabbits by Dextran and Acacia

Abstract

The behavior of leukocytes was observed in transparent chambers in rabbits'' ears after intraven. administration of dextran and acacia. Profound leukopenia occurred when leukocytes adhered to the endothelium of vessels after dextran was given. This leukopenia gradually diminished and was replaced by leukocytosis, which was pronounced after 175 min. After injn. of dextran, the poly-morphonuclear cells disappeared almost completely from the circulating blood, leaving mostly mononuclear cells, although the latter were also reduced somewhat in absolute numbers. After 30 min. the polymorphonuclears began to increase, and after 105 to 175 min. such cells predominated. Administration of acacia produced leukopenia of much less extent than that caused by dextran and there was no profound change in the differential count. In the presence of leukocytosis resulting from an infectious process, the leukocytes responded to injns. of dextran in a typical manner.