1. Splenectomy in the rat results in a marked elevation in the number of circulating leukocytes and platelets.

2. Transient suppression of the leukocytosis may result from the presence of a 10 per cent splenic implant, either free in the peritoneal cavity or enclosed in a Millipore diffusion chamber.

3. Marked and persistent suppression of postsplenectomy thrombocytosis results from the presence of a 10 per cent splenic implant, whether free or enclosed in a 0.45 µ Millipore diffusion chamber.

4. The results provide indirect evidence of a humoral substance produced by rat spleen which influences platelet levels; presumably this substance acts by suppressing thrombopoiesis.

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© 1967 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1967
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