The Effects of Cobalt, Liver Extract and Vitamin B₁₂ on the Anemia Induced by Hypophysectomy in Adult Female Rats

Hypophysectomized adult female rats of the Wistar strain were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg. of cobalt nitrate for 50 days. Most striking results were obtained with the largest dose. The erythrocyte count in the hypophysectomized rats was elevated from a preoperative level of 7.9 million cells per cu. mm. to 11.6 million cells; the hematocrit, from 45.8 per cent to 60.8 per cent; and the hemoglobin, from 16.0 Gm. per 100 cc. to 21.0 Gm. Normal animals responded in a similar manner. Cobalt nitrate, therefore, not only prevented anemia but actually induced a marked elevation in the number of erythrocytes and in hemoglobin. Vitamin B₁₂ and liver extract were ineffective.