BLOOD COUNTS IN VITAMIN-A DEFICIENCY DISEASE WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PLATELETS

Abstract

The average number of blood platelets in 24 counts on rats showing lesions of the dietary vitamin-A deficiency was 204,209 lower per C mm. than normal. The average number of red blood cells was 137,500 higher than controls. The average number of white cells was 2,338 higher than controls with an inversion of the polymorphonuclear-lymphocytic ratio. Changes in the relative number of platelets, red cells, and white cells in blood of rats fed on a vitamin-A deficient diet are, therefore, not constant enough to constitute a specific lesion in vitamin-A deficiency.