BEHAVIOR OF THE LEUKOCYTES OF THE RABBIT DURING PERIODS OF TRANSIENT LEUKOPENIA VARIOUSLY INDUCED

Abstract

Observations have been made of the behavior of the leukocytes as seen in the blood vessels that had grown into transparent chambers inserted into the ears of rabbits. Intraven. injn. of extract of Ascaris suum, hydatid cyst fluid, solns. of acacia, glycogen and dextran, and many other substances, caused the leukocytes to become sticky. They adhered to the vascular endothelium and to each other, forming large clumps. As long as the leukocytes were adhesive (90 min. or less), there was profound leukopenia. The transient nature of the leukopenia can be accounted for on the basis of the leukocytes being temporarily out of circulation as a result of their adhering to the vascular endothelium and to each other. The possible relation of the adhesiveness of the leukocytes to certain inflammatory reactions is discussed.