HEMOLYTIC DEPRESSION OF THE ERYTHROCYTE NUMBER BY THE FEEDING OF FAT WITH CHOLINE

Abstract

The daily oral adm. of 60 g. of lard and 10 mg./kg. of choline hydrochloride to 4 normal dogs caused rapid, significant reductions in their erythrocyte counts and Hb percentages. In 3 of the dogs, the erythrocyte numbers were observed to be diminished by 15-27% within the 1st 24 hrs. Icterus indices were significantly elevated concomitantly. Discontinuation of fat feeding alone, or of both fat and choline adm. resulted in rapid returns of erythrocyte numbers to normal. These results are interpreted by assuming that the choline acts as a brake on the bone marrow in preventing any great acceleration of erythropoiesis, while the fat furnishes hemolytic agents (perhaps soaps and fatty acids) which increase red cell destruction.