Blood and Bone Marrow Study of Vitamin-Deficient Rats

Abstract

This study indicates that leukopenia occurred in the peripheral blood of the thiamine-deficient, totally vitamin B complex-deficient and inanition control rats. A percentage increase in the polymorphonuclear neutrophiles, and a percentage and a total number decrease of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of these animals, were observed. The number of neutrophiles per cubic millimeter was not appreciably changed. An increased percentage of granulocytes was observed in the bone marrow of thiamine-deficient and totally vitamin B complex-deficient animals. The bone marrow from the inanition control animals likewise demonstrated granulocytosis, but to a lesser degree than that of the vitamin-deficient animals. A lower median value for nucleated red cells in the thiamine-deficient group was obtained from the study of the bone marrow smears. A marked relative lymphocytopenia was observed in the bone marrow of thiamine-deficient, totally vitamin B complex-deficient and inanition control animals.