The Adrenal Cortex and Hemolysis : III. Peripheral Blood Cell Reactions

Hemolysis was induced in rats by the intravenous administration of phenylhydrazine, immune hemolytic serum and Tween 80. During the period of red cell destruction, which lasted for three to four days, there was a marked leukocytosis, neutrophilia and eosinophilia which also persisted for three to four days. With phenylhydrazine and Tween 80 there was an initial transitory eosinopenia; with immune serum there was an immediate eosinophilia.

In contrast, anemia produced by cardiac hemorrhage was accompanied by a transient slight leukocytosis and eosinopenia. Within one day the white cell level returned to baseline levels, but eosinophilia appeared and persisted for two days. The injections of formaldehyde, ACTH, and saline, and cardiac puncture without bleeding caused a slight ephemeral leukocytosis and eosinopenia.

The peripheral blood cell response observed during hemolysis occurred in the presence or absence of the adrenals, and with or without the administration of ACTH.

It was concluded that hemolysis elicits a distinct pattern of cellular response in the peripheral blood which is not mediated through the adrenal cortex.