COMPARISON OF THE HEMACYTOLOGICAL CONSTITUTION OF MALE AND FEMALE RABBITS

Abstract

The blood of buck rabbits and their litter mate sisters (41 such prs.) was studied. The red cells and hemoglobin were significantly higher in the [male][male] than in the [female][female]. While no significant differences in other cells were observed between the [female][female] and the [male][male], the pairs of litter mates showed individual variations in total white blood cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes. Since all known variables had been held constant, it was concluded that the higher r.b.c. count and Hb value for the [male][male] were the results of constitutional sex differences. But, the significant correlations between the blood cells of [male] and [female] litter mates were ascribed to hereditary influences, and thus the [female] as well as the [male] rabbit is available for studies on the mechanism involved in the inheritance of the blood formula. Since high correlations were obtained for cells regarded as the most reliable indices of the natural immunity of the [male] host to subsequent inoculation with tumor or syphilis, it was concluded that these cells should give dependable information concerning the natural resistance of the [female] host to these 2 diseases.