Modification of erythropoiesis in rats as a result of myleran administration

Abstract

The effect of myleran on red blood cell production in the rat was measured by following erythrocyte concentrations, total numbers of erythrocytes, reticulocytes, total numbers of reticulocytes, blood volume and hematocrit for 22 days following injection. Data showed that 1) Myleran treated rats demonstrated a weight loss at day 15. A slow recovery follows and normal values are reached at day 21. 2) Normal 200 gram rats exhibit increased erythropoietic activity and growth with increases in body weight. These changes are associated with increases in blood volume, total numbers of erythrocytes, and hematocrit. 3) Suppression of erythropoietic tissue by myleran apparently did not cause any observable effects on circulating blood cell parameters, with the exception of reticulocytes, until day 12. 4) The greatest observable effects occurred at days 16 to 22. Significant reductions occurred in hematocrit (p=0.05), and total numbers of erythrocytes (p=0.01) at day 16 and in erythrocyte concentrations (p=0.05), hematocrit (p=0.01), blood volume (p=0.01) and total number of erythrocytes (p=0.01) at day 22.