Haematological results of vanadium intoxication in Wistar rats

Abstract

1. Two-month-old rats of the Wistar strain of both sexes received, as sole drinking liquid, an aqueous solution of ammonium metavanadate (AMV) of 0.15 mg V/cm3 concentration for a period of 4 weeks. 2. A small decrease in the amount of food consumed and a significant reduction of the water AMV solution drunk were observed, as compared with the food and water taken up by the control group. 3. In the peripheral blood a significant decrease in the erythrocyte count and haemoglobin level and increased percentage of reticulocytes and polychromatophilic erythrocytes were noted. 4. No changes in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) were found in the erythrocytes of the animals tested. 5. The increase in the neutrophilic granulocyte and lymphocyte count was significant. 6. An inhibitory influence of vanadium on the phagocytic activity of granulocytes was observed.