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Phenylhydrazine‐Induced Leukocytosis in the Rat
Author(s) -
Dornfest Burton S.,
Lapin David M.,
Naughton Brian A.,
Adu Samuel,
Korn Larry,
Gordon Albert S.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.39.1.37
Subject(s) - leukocytosis , granulocytosis , hemocytometer , monocytosis , percoll , biology , lymphocyte , lymphocytosis , spleen , endocrinology , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , medicine , neutrophilia , immunology , hematocrit , lymph , blood cell , tetramethylurea , andrology , pathology , granulocyte , centrifugation , biochemistry , bone marrow , solvent , in vitro
Rats were injected with phenylhydrazine (PHZ) for periods of up to 6 months, during which time a marked leukocytosis was induced. The highest leukocyte counts occurred within 4–5 days following injection. An initial injection of 4 mg/100 gm body weight evoked a mean total leukocyte count of 129 × 10 3 cells/ μ l. Successive weekly injections of 2 mg/100 gm resulted in a mean total leukocyte count of 70 × 10 3 cells/ μ l compared to a mean total leukocyte count of 12.5 × 10 3 cells/ μ l in saline‐injected rats. Lymphocytes and monocytes accounted for approximately 75% of the total cell counts in both the PHZ‐treated and control rats. The presence of increased numbers of mononuclear cells was confirmed by Percoll gradient separation and by phase‐contrast microscopy. Although a leukocytosis was evident when using the automated Coulter electronic cell counter, it was not discernible when blood samples were counted manually in a hemocytometer by light microscopy. Histological examination of the thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen of the PHZ‐treated rats indicated that lymphocytes and monocytes were mobilized from these sites. Lymphocyte depletion was evident, and germinal centers were found in all these lymphoid organs, indicating that PHZ induced a lymphopoietic response. A possible autoimmune etiology for PHZ‐induced red blood cell destruction is discussed.