Hemoglobin Hematocrit Research Articles

Effect of cottonseed milk on growth performance, hematological and semen characteristics in male Wistar albino rats

Various plant based milk extract is appropriate for human nutrition among which cottonseed is one of the potential crops with the advantages of stable milk emulsion, improved nutrient profile with affordable waste utilization. Although cottonseed milk is a popular indigenous beverage, it has not been exploited worldwide for regular consumption owing to the presence of gossypol. The gossypol toxicity and associated gossypol-iron complex formation in the intestine lead to changes in hematological characteristics and alternation of sperm motility in monogastric animals. Male Wistar albino rats weighing 60 to 70 g were divided into four groups of five animals each. The group fed the standard diet (STD) served as control, and the experimental groups included the group (i) rats fed cottonseed diet (CSD) supplemented at 10% of cottonseed level (ii) rats fed conventional aqueous extracted cottonseed milk (CCM) diet (CAD) and (iii) rats fed enzymatic assisted aqueous extracted cottonseed milk (ECM) diet (EAD). The CAD and EAD feed was administrated @ 1 ml/100 g of animal body weight /day for the study period of 45 days among the experimental groups and control group. A significant difference in weight gain of the experimental rats was noticed between the CCM and ECM cottonseed milk extracts fed experimental groups compared with the standard and cottonseed fed groups. The rats fed with CSD, CCM and ECM diet exhibited higher white blood cell counts, also reducing the red blood cells count, hemoglobin hematocrit and platelet in the group compared with STD. No significant difference in semen motility characteristics was noticed among the CSD, CCM and ECM fed groups. In conclusion, the intake of less than the permissible level of gossypol from selected cottonseed and its aqueous extracted milk samples has influenced the hematological parameters and whereas an improved effect was shown in semen characteristics.Graphical

Health Education Mentoring on Sadar Seimbang Nutrisi (SSN) and The Dangers of Anemia through Student Empowerment Movements with Examination of Hematology (Hemoglobin Hematocrit) in Vocational High School and Junior High School AsSyarief Garut for Mountainous Area Community

Anemia in adolescent girls still shows a high prevalence rate. The prevalence of anemia in Indonesia at the age of 5-14 is 26.4%, 18.4% of patients aged 15-24 years, and women have a high risk of anemia, especially in adolescent girls. Adolescent girls with anemia will have changed the menstrual cycle. The importance of learning adolescent nutritional status will be strategic planning for decreased nutritional macro and micro deficiencies in women. This community dedication aimed to present information about the risk of anemia through student empowerment and hematological examination (hemoglobin-hematocrit). A piece of good and proper knowledge about balanced Nutrition is an essential point of anemia prevention in adolescents.

Visualizing Sickle Cell Disease Whole Blood Flow and Viscosity through Modifications to Hemoglobin Levels from a Simple Blood Transfusion

Red cell transfusions are an effective part of a clinical care regiment in the treatment of chronic sickle cell disease; however, the understanding of the target hemoglobin levels has not been investigated past the standard hematocrit/hemoglobin (HgB) of 10 g/dL. A simple transfusion of packed red cells can be a beneficial clinical treatment of acute pain crisis or even stroke. Along with other transfusion-based complications, when performing a simple transfusion, the changes in blood velocity as a result of increased blood viscosity from the additional red cells can lead to complications of their own. Because of this, clinical treatment has hesitated to transfuse sickle patients above a HgB of 10 g/dL.The complications of sickle cell disease tend to be more pronounced on the microvascular scale than then macrovascular. Along with this, the overall slower blood flow caused by the increase in viscosity from a simple blood transfusion is more probable to lead to complications on the microvascular level. Our device allows us to target the changes in whole blood on multiple scales including down to arteriole sizes. Here, we have begun to investigate how transfusion could be more patient-specific by identifying the velocity profile of whole blood flowing through a “microvasculature-on-a-chip” device that mimics the microvascular geometry (Figure 1A). The devices were microfabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and then coated with 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) to help prevent red cell adhesion to channel walls. To simulate various HgB levels, healthy whole blood samples were centrifuged to separate red cells. To simulate a simple clinical transfusion of a sickle patient, isolated red cells were added to sickle whole blood samples. Similar to a clinical setting, sickle samples were only transfused up to higher HgB levels. HgB levels were then confirmed on a differential hematology analyzer (Sysmex XN 330). 3.2mm CA+ was added to various HgB samples to defeat the citrate anticoagulant. Samples were loaded into syringes then perfused into the BSA coated devices (Figure 1B).During perfusion, a 450 frame video of flow was captured at 40x resolution and 163 fps. Following capture, videos parameters such as frame rate and pixel distance were defined in a custom MATLAB (Mathworks, Natick, MA) script. The script segmented videos into cropped frames of the desired regions of interest then a Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi (KLT) tracking algorithm detected red cell features in each frame across 4 frames (Figure 1 B&C). 12 equal spaced bins were created across the width of the channel in the direction of flow; Tracked velocities were assigned to their corresponding bin and averaged to create a velocity profile of function as the distance from the center of the channel (Figure 1 D&E).To create a case study, two patient samples were received with the same starting HgB of 6.8 g/dL and were transfused upwards incrementally to a HgB of 12 g/dL. One patient is currently on a hydroxyurea regiment and the other patient is not. At each HgB level, the perfused whole blood was tracked through several different arteriole-sized vessels (30, 40 & 60 um) at two appropriate flow rates. To quantify the differences in the flow, the average cell velocity (um/s) through the channel and the peak velocity (um/s) through channels were charted against the various HgB levels (Figure 2).Continuing this series of experiments, 2 additional sickle whole blood on hydroxyurea samples were transfused upwards from their respective starting hemoglobin (9.7 & 10 g/dL). The flow was tracked and averages were quantified across the channel through its distance from the center of the channel. As transfused sickle HgB levels were increased, the bluntness of the velocity profile, or the difference between the average flow velocity in the center of the channel and at the walls of the channel, became less dramatic. This could be primarily attributed to the increase in the viscosity from the addition of the red cells (Figure 3).Our data shows that viscosity plays an important factor in whole blood flow. HgB of 10 g/dL is an important target for sickle transfusions; however, this target HgB may be more patient-specific than previously stated. Understanding patient viscosity may prove to be more important than hemoglobin levels. As patient blood increases in viscosity, blood slows down on the microvascular level the most. This may be critical in understanding the appropriate transfusion. [Display omitted] DisclosuresLam: Sanguina, Inc.: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Kemp: Parthenon Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Hematology and serum biochemistry of broilers at the initial and growth stages submitted to different levels of digestible sulfur amino acids

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of digestible methionine and cystine (Met + Cys) levels on the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens during the initial and growth stages. For this, 1,800 male chicks of the Coob 500 strain were used, with 900 chicks in the initial phase (1 to 21 days old) and 900 chicks in the growth phase (22 to 42 days old), distributed in a completely randomized design of five treatments with six replicates of 30 birds. The treatments consisted of 0.545, 0.616, 0.711, 0.782, and 0.853%; and 0.514, 0.571, 0.647, 0.704, and 0.761% digestible Met + Cys for “1 to 21” and “22 to 42” days of breeding, respectively. Results showed that digestible Met + Cys levels in broiler feed altered some hematological parameters (erythrocyte, hematocrit hemoglobin, total leukocytes, heterophile: lymphocyte) and serum biochemistry (uric acid, PST, total LDL, and TG). The digestible Met + Cys levels in the diet of broilers affected the hematological parameters and serum biochemistry, especially at higher levels. From the inclusion level 0.761 of Met + Cist in the broiler diet, red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit changes begin to appear.

Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicity Studies of an Ethanol/Water Extract of <i>Euphorbia scordifolia </i>Jacq (Euphorbiaceae) in Mice and in Rats

Euphorbia scordifoliais used in Cameroon as galactagogue and in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This work was undertaken to evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicities of ethanol/water extract ofEuphorbia scordifolia(EWEs). Acute toxicity study was carried out by oral administration of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 g/kg body weight of EWEs to mice in the respective groups. Subchronic toxicity study was conducted by oral administration of the extract at daily doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg body weight to another group of rats for 28 days, while rats in the control group received 10 mL/kg body weight of distilled water. Following the 28-day treatment, the rats were sacrificed for hematological, biochemical and histopathology studies. In the acute toxicity study, EWEs was found to be non-toxic at a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight. The subchronic treatment with EWEs did not alter either the body weight gain or the food and water consumption. Biochemical analysis did not show any significant differences in any of the parameters examined in males or females. Hematological analysis showed a significant decrease (P<0.01) in white blood cells and red blood cells in males treated with 100 mg/kg bw and a significant (P<0.01) decrease in hemoglobin and hemoglobin hematocrit in all treated females. Necropsy and histopathological examination revealed some slight hepatic necrosis with the dose 100 mg/kg bw. It would be necessary to use the ethanol/water extract for short periods (<4 weeks). Thus, the plant, at least its ethanol/water extract, could be considered with a wide margin of safety for short-term oral use.

Umbilical Cord Clamping Time in Premature Infants

This paper provides a brief overview of benefits of delayed cord clamping according to the early clamping after birth. Introduction: Optimal timing of cord clamping has long been a controversial issue. Recently many studies have shown that delayed cord clamping leads to remarkable decreases in risks of morbidity such as intraventricular haemorrhage, necrotising enterocolitis, hypoperfusion, need for transfusion and optimal haemoglobin haematocrit levels in preterm infants. Conclusion: Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord will ensure more positive outcomes in preterm neonates.

Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria using a combination of haemoglobin haematocrit and serum ferritin measurements. Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutively recruited whole blood donors, comprising of 148 (98.7%) family replacement donors and 2 (1.3%) voluntary non-remunerated donors aged 18-60 years and mean age 39±21 years constituted the subjects for this study. The full blood count was carried out using Mythic 22 CT fully automated haematology analyser (Orphee SA, Switzerland). Serum was tested for ferritin using a human ferritin enzyme immunoassay kit- ACCU Diag™ ELISA Ferritin kit (Diagnostic Automation/Cortez Diagnostic Inc. California, USA). Results: The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin<11.0 g/dL) was evident in 24 (16%) and iron deficiency anaemia (serum ferritin<12 ng/mL+haemoglobin<11 g/dL) in 5 (10%) of donors. The haemoglobin and ferritin levels was significantly lower among regular voluntary remunerated blood donors (13.50±0.00 and 34.88±0.00) compared to family replacement donors (14.10±2.40 and 74.12±45.20) respectively (P=0.01 and 0.05 respectively). The mean haemoglobin and ferritin level was compared among donors based on gender. The haemoglobin and ferritin was significantly higher among male donors (14.20±2.00, 78.02±49.10) compared to female donors (12.35±2.5 and 42.20±32.13) (P=0.01). The mean haemoglobin and ferritin level was compared among donors based on occupational groups. The haemoglobin and ferritin was significantly higher among civil servants compared to farmers and students (P=0.01). Conclusions: Iron deficiency anaemia is prevalent among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria. There is need to include routine ferritin in the blood donor testing protocol in the area to enable the diagnosis of donors with latent iron deficiency anaemia to facilitate iron supplementation for regular blood donors at risk and those with iron deficiency anaemia. journal homepage: www.jclmm.com

전라도 장수지역에 거주하는 여자노인의 동거유형에 따른 생화학적 지표 및 영양섭취상태에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree nutrient intake, health status and other characteristics of females aged 65 years and over in a longevity area according to family arrangement. For analysis, 585 female elderly were recruited from the Kugoksoondam area (Kurye, Goksung, Soonchang and Damyang counties), known as the longevity-belt region in Jeonla province, Korea. The subjects were categorized into three groups according to family arrangement (living alone, living with spouse only and living with family). Demographic characteristics were collected, as well as information on physical measurements, blood tests for biochemical indicators, health status and health-related life style, dietary behavior, favorite food groups, consumption frequency of food groups, nutrient intake and mini nutrition assessment. In the group living with their spouse only, the highest education, physical activity, diverse food intake, frequency of eating meats and fish, energy and nutrients intake, and score on the mininutrient status assessment (MNA) were found to be significantly favorable factors. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the group living with their spouse only had relatively superior nutrient intake and the quality of diet. In contrast, the group living alone showed the lowest self-rated economic status, diversity of food intake, and physical activity, with the highest frequency of drinking, smoking and regular exercise for almost everyday compared with the other groups. On the other hand, those living with family demonstrated the lowest intake of supplements or functional foods, and levels of hemoglobin hematocrit MCH, but the highest HBA1c and blood sugar. Therefore, the group living with family was assumed to be at risk of anemia and diabetes. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy of Korean elderly people living in rural areas, according to family arrangement.

Iron Deficiency among Blood Donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria

Objectives: There is a paucity of information on the prevalence of iron deficiency among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria. The present study was, therefore, designed to investigate the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with iron deficiency among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria using a combination of haemoglobin haematocrit and serum ferritin measurements. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty consecutively recruited whole blood donors, comprising of 148 (98.7%) family replacement donors and 2 (1.3%) voluntary non-remunerated donors, 145 male (96.7%) and 5 (3.33%) female blood donors aged 18 - 60 years with mean age 39 &#177 21 years constituted the subjects for this study. Subjects included farmers 55 (43.3%), 56 civil servants (37.3%) and 39 (26%) students. The full blood count was carried out using Mythic 22 CT fully automated haematology analyser (Orphee SA, Switzerland). Serum was tested for ferritin using a human ferritin enzyme immunoassay kit—ACCU DiagTM ELISA Ferritin kit (Diagnostic Automation/Cortez Diagnostic Inc. California (U.S.A). Result: Three haematological parameters (haemoglobin, packed cell volume and serum ferritin) were assessed among blood donors. The haemoglobin, packed cell volume and ferritin levels were significantly lower among regular voluntary remunerated blood donors (13.5 &#177 0.00, 43.5 &#177 2.0 and 34.88 &#177 0.00) compared to Family replacement donors (14.10 &#177 .40, 45 &#177 3.0 and 74.12 &#177 45.20) respectively (p &#61 0.01, 0.01 and 0.001 respectively). The mean haemoglobin, packed cell volume and ferritin levels were compared among donors based on gender. The haemoglobin, packed cell volume and ferritin were significantly higher among male donors (14.2 &#177 2.0, 44 &#177 4.0 and 78.02 &#177 49.10) compared to female donors (12.35 &#177 2.5, 42 &#177 3.0 and 42.2 &#177 32.13) (p &#61 0.01, 0.01 and 0.001 respectively). The mean haemoglobin, packed cell volume and ferritin levels were compared among donors based on occupational groups. The haemoglobin, packed cell volume and ferritin were significantly higher among civil servants compared to farmers and students (p &#61 0.01). Conclusion: Iron deficiency is prevalent among blood donors in Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria. There is a need to review the screening tests for the selection of blood donors and include serum ferritin measurement in the donor screening menu as well as provide iron supplementation for regular blood donors.

Applications and Biomonitoring Issues of Recombinant Erythropoietins for Doping Control

The biochemical actions and side effects of recombinant erythropoietins (rhEPOs), their analogs and mimetics, their misuse as doping agents, and the principal analytical strategies developed to identify them in athletes' biologic fluids are reviewed. Patients who experience a range of pathologies have benefited from the administration of rhEPOs to correct severe anemia. Currently, monitoring the biologic effect of rhEPO in patients under treatment is by measuring the hemoglobin concentration. However, it may be valuable to directly monitor the actual levels of the administered drug and determine a dose-dependent correlation with any clinical adverse effect observed. This may permit the adoption of a patient-specific administration regime. Currently, the method of detecting EPO approved for doping control is an isoelectric-focusing, double-blotting, chemiluminescence assay based on charge differences between isoforms of rhEPOs and endogenous EPO in urine. The advantages and limitations of this method are presented. A new approach using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a complementary tool to the established method is discussed. The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry for the direct detection of the rhEPO molecules may prove to be promising. Indirect evidence of rhEPO abuse by athletes is based on the analysis of blood parameters (hemoglobin hematocrit, reticulocytes, macrocytes, etc) and serum markers (concentration of EPO and serum transferrin receptors, etc). Enrichment of the screened parameters with gene or biochemical markers revealing altered erythropoiesis and adoption of longitudinal monitoring of athletes' hematologic and biochemical parameters could also be a complementary approach in the fight against doping.

The Association of Oxidant Status and Antioxidant Capacity in Children With Acute and Chronic ITP

This study was undertaken to investigate oxidant and antioxidant systems in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). With this purpose, we measured the levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and other oxidative stress parameters. Fifty-two pediatric patients with ITP (25 acute, 27 chronic) and 21 healthy children were included in the study. Patients with acute ITP were studied, before and after, methylprednisolone treatment. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, and TAC were statistically significantly lower in patients with acute ITP before treatment than those in the control group (P<0.05). In addition, in this group, MDA, TOS levels, and OSI (oxidative stress index) were found to be higher than those in the control group. In chronic ITP group, although hemoglobin hematocrit, platelet counts, and TAC levels were statistically significantly lower than those in the control groups,the mean platelet volume, MDA, TOS, and OSI were found to be statistically significantly higher (P<0.05). Platelet count and mean platelet volume values were statistically significantly lower in patients with acute ITP before treatment than after treatment (P<0.05). We also found a positive correlation between thrombocyte count and TAC, in patients with acute ITP before treatment (r: 0.601, P<0.001) and acute ITP after treatment (r: 0.601, P<0.001) and chronic ITP (r: 0.601, P<0.001). A negative correlation was found between thrombocyte count and serum MDA levels, in patients with acute ITP before treatment (r: -0.356, P<0.001) and acute ITP after treatment (r: -0.356, P<0.001) and chronic ITP (r: -0.356, P<0.001). We also found a negative correlation between thrombocyte count and serum OSI, in patients with acute ITP before treatment (r: -0.494, P<0.001) and acute ITP after treatment (r: -0.494, P<0.001) and chronic ITP (r: -0.494, P<0.001). A negative correlation was found between thrombocyte count and TOS, in patients with acute ITP before treatment (r: -0.470, P<0.001) and acute ITP after treatment (r: -0.470, P<0.001) and chronic ITP (r: -0.470, P<0.001). In conclusion, increased MDA, TOS and OSI, and decreased TAC levels were found in patients with acute and chronic ITP. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that free oxygen radicals may have an effect on the structural and functional damage of platelets, and on the mechanism of thrombocytopenia in both, acute and chronic ITP.

A comparative study on iron deficiency anemia based on feeding patterns of nine-month-old infants

Purpose : This study was conducted to evaluate the red cell indices and frequency of iron deficiency anemia based on the feeding patterns of nine-month-old infants. Methods : Blood tests were performed on 253 nine-month-old infants who visited Il Sin Christian Hospital for health checkups from January to December 2007. Their parents answered telephonic questions regarding their feeding patterns and weaning foods. Results : Three infants groups were created according to feeding patterns before they started weaning foods. One group was exclusively breast-fed (48.6% another had mixed feeding (27.3% and the third had artificial milk feeding (24.1%. Red cell indices (hemoglobin hematocrit MCV MCH of the breast-fed group were comparatively lower than those of the other two groups (P<0.05. Twenty-five infants (9.9% were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. According to feeding patterns the frequency of anemia was highest in the breast-fed group. Six infants who started weaning foods before six months of age (113 infants were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia (5.3% and nineteen who started after six months of age (140 infants were diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia (13.6%. Conclusion : When nine-month old infants visit hospitals for health check-ups pediatricians must consider their feeding pattern and weaning foods histories and then recommend screening blood tests for iron-deficiency anemia. (Korean J Pediatr 2008;51:820-826

Effect of Blood Transfusion in Combination with Dextran-40 and Hypertonic Saline Solution on Cardiopulmonary Haemodynamics of Endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharide) Shock in Buffalo Calves

The intravenous (i.v.) infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of E. coli endotoxin in buffalo calves (n = 15) at 5 microg/kg bw per h for 3 h caused a significant (p<0.05) fall in plasma volume, blood volume, haematocrit haemoglobin, and systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure (CVP), with a marked rise in respiration. Treatment with a combination of i.v. infusion of 7.2% hypertonic saline solution, Plasmex-D-40 (Dextran-40) and blood successfully alleviated hypovolaemia, and raised systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure. The whole blood was collected from apparently healthy male buffalo calves 24 h prior to infusion and was transfused without cross-matching. No significant fall in haemoglobin, haematocrit and body temperature was observed after transfusion. All these values tended to remain near normal levels. However, this combination of treatment had no effect on high respiratory rate. A one-time blood transfusion did not evoke any cross-reaction and was helpful in raising haematocrit and haemoglobin close to pre-infusion values. The general symptoms of restlessness, respiratory distress, profuse salivation, violent movement of the ears, snoring, intermittent struggle, etc. were markedly reduced. All the treated animals became quiet and lay with eyes open and survived the 7 h of observation.

Erythropoietin treatment does not compromise cardiovascular function in chronic renal failure.

The anemia in patients with chronic renal failure can be corrected through treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin treatment. This correction is associated with changes in the rheologic variables, which could explain the changes in hemodynamics found by many investigators. The authors have followed up 11 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis before and during six months of therapy with erythropoietin. The measurements were made before treatment, after four months of therapy, and after six months of therapy. The measurements included hematocrit, osmotic resistance of the red blood cells, red blood cell volume, plasma volume, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and cardiac output measured by the indicator dilution method. They found a significant increase in hematocrit hemoglobin, and red blood cell volume and a decrease in osmotic resistance while the hemodynamic variables were unchanged. The conclude that, in spite of changes in rheologic variables, increasing viscosity of the blood and thus possibly increasing the peripheral resistance, these had no effect on the cardiovascular state. Erythropoietin treatment improves the subjective well-being in patients on chronic hemodialysis without compromising their cardiovascular function.

成長期雌雄ラットの血液性状（ヘモグロビン，ヘマトクリットおよび血しょう量）に対する運動の効果

Effects of training on the hematological values were measured in growing male and female rats. In the condition of normal feeding, body weight in male rats increased gradually as days pass. The increase in the body weight of female rats became moderate after 50 days old. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value in male rats, increased gradually in proportion to the growth of the body weight. But these values in female rats, did not increase as much as that in the male rats. Accordingly, after 70 days of age, sex difference became statistically significant in the hemoglobin and hematocrit value. From 30 days to 100 days of age, the plasma volume per 100 g body weight decreased gradually, and the plasma volume of a female rat was less than that of a male rat of the same body weight.During such a growing period, the rat fed on 20% casein diet or 5% casein diet were compelled to swim 1 hour per day. The concentration of hemoglobin in a training male rat fed on 20% casein diet and the plasma volume per 100 g body weight, were the same as that of the control male rat. But in the case of the training female rat fed on 20% casein diet, hemoglobin hematocrit, and blood volume, plasma volume, red cell volume and total hemoglobin per 100 g body weight were significantly higher than that of a control female rat. The concentration in hemoglobin and hematocrit value in the training male rat fed on 5% casein diet did not differ significantly from that of the control male rat fed on 5% casein diet, and hemoglobin and hematocrit in the both groups of rats (control and training) were significantly lower than that of the male rat fed on 20% casein diet. In the female rats fed on 5% casein diet, the hemoglobin and hematocrit values in both groups of rats (control and training) were the same, and they did not differ from that of the female control rats fed on 20% casein diet. The volume of blood, plasma, red cell and total hemoglobin in 100 g body weight of the control male and female rats fed on 5% casein diet was significantly smaller than that of the rat of the same body weight fed on 20% casein diet. These values in the training group did not differ from that of the rats of the same body weights fed on 20% casein diet, it was suggested that the lean body mass, red cell volume and total hemoglobin were increased by training even on the low protein diet.

Oral contraceptives and the red blood cell.

Red blood cell parameters were analyzed in a group of 3,736 women, which included 1,083 current, 1,079 past, and 1,574 never users of contraceptive drugs. After adiustment for age and menstrual blood loss, oral contraceptive users exhibited a slight but statistically significant elevation in RBC indices coupled with decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count (RBC). These findings are consistent with a folate and/or vitamin B12 deficiency that becomes more significant considering the high socioeconomic level of our subjects, but the hazard of a clinically significant macrocytic anemia in a healthy, well‐nourished woman using an oral contraceptive is probably minimal.

Effect of oral contraceptives on leukocyte count in hemophiliacs.

In a treatment experiment Lyndiol 2.5 (lynestrenol 2.5 mg mestranol .075 mg) was given daily to 75 hemophilic children. The mean age of these patients was 7 years 3 months and the age range was 22 months to 16 years. Monthly determinations of hemoglobin hematocrit leukocyte and differential count were done on 30 of these children. The leukocyte count increased slowly becoming statistically significant at 9 months. The means of the differential counts of these children under Lyndiol treatment were: polymorphs 63%; lymphocytes 18%; monocytes 1%; eosinophils 1.5%; and basophils .1%. Later a neutrophilic leukocytosis developed which resembles that seen during gestation and labor. Hemoglobin values remained unchanged. After 4-6 months of treatment gynecomastia growth in the genital area and acceleration of physical growth and of bone age were observed.

A Clinical Evaluation of Long-Term Continuous Use of Norethynodrel-Mestranol for Contraception

To assess the effect of long-term usage of norethynodrel-mestranol oral contraceptives upon human health 176 women who had used this type of agent for periods of 4-10 years were given a physical examination plus a battery of laboratory studies. Laboratory tests for white blood count differential white blood count hemoglobin hematocrit fasting blood sugar serum alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase all fell within the normal ranges for all 176 (with the exception of 1 woman who had a white blood count of 3000/cu mm). Women who were underweight before beginning therapy tended to gain weight while those who were overweight before tended to gain and lose in equal numbers. Hypertension was recorded for 22 of the 176 women 12 of whom had prior history of hypertension. Overall 19 of the 22 hypertensive women were overweight. Uterine fibromyomas was found in 39 of the 176 women (22%). Of these 39 2 had a previous history of fibroids. Cervical erosion was reported in 82 of the 176 women but with an expected relationship to age and parity. Fundoscopic examinations revealed narrowing of the retinal arteries in 4 women (all hypertensive) and slight arterial-venous nicking in 1 woman (also hypertensive). The general health of 168 of the 176 women was stated to be unchanged while 4 were considered worse. 172 of the women wished to continue using the contraceptive while 2 were undecided. No unplanned pregnancies occurred.

Clinical Evaluation of Ethinylestrenol and Mestranol as a Contraceptive

Ethinylestrenol (2.5 mg) plus mestranol (75 mcg) was clinically evaluated as an oral contraceptive (trade name Lyndiol) by cyclically administering the combination to 625 women for 9898 cycles (1-31 cycles each). Blood tests were performed in 2 groups of 25 patients each at 0 3 6 12 and 18 months to determine if there was any effect on hemoglobin hematocrit red cell white cell or platelet counts fibrinogen recalcified plasma clotting time clotting time quick prothrombin time plasminogen partial thromboplastin generation bromsulphonphthalein retention total protein bilirubin alkaline phosphatase serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase LE cell preparation cephalin flocculation urea nitrogen calcium phosphorus and protein-bound iodine. In 25 other patients 24-hour urine specimens were examined initially at 3 months and at 1 year for pregnanediol 17-ketosteroids 11-oxysteroids and human pituitary gonadotropins. The only significant difference was a reduction in production of pregnanediol during therapy. 323 patients (52%) dropped out before study termination: 181 moved and were not located 50 (8%) discontinued of their own accord due to side effects and 22 (4%) dropped out on advice of physician. Side effects per cycle encountered most frequently were intermenstrual spotting (in 2.6% of patients) headache (2.2% of patients) and nausea and gastric distress (1.6%). 4 pregnancies occurred in women taking the pills incorrectly. 1 patient had prolonged amenorrhea until 6 months after contraceptive discontinuation when menses resumed spontaneously. Lyndiol is considered an effective contraceptive combination.

SECONDARY POLYCYTHEMIA IN ADOLESCENTS AT HIGH ALTITUDE.

Abstract Significant changes in the production of red Mood cells occur after puberty. The pattern of these changes by age and sex has been well described in populations living near sea level. Since chronic hypoxia might well modify this hematologic pattern the normal adolescents of a population residing at a high altitude were studied. Samples of venous blood were obtained from 355 boys and girls ranging in age from 10 to 18 years and living at an altitude of 10,200 feet in Leadville, Colorado. Whole blood hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count were determined. Serum from clotted blood was analyzed for iron content unsaturated iron-binding capacity, and bilirubin concentration. The effects of chronic hypoxia were clearly manifest in girls. Throughout the age range of 10 to 18 years, mean values for hemoglobin hematocrit and R.B.C. count were higher than at comparable ages at sea level. However, there was little or no tendency of these parameters to increase with age. Among the boys the effects of high altitude were also obvious, in that all 3 parameters were higher than at comparable ages at low altitudes. Prior to puberty, boys and girls had similar blood values. However, in boys puberty apparently provided an added stimulus to red cell production. From 14 to 18 years of age, there was a progressive and significant increase in all 3 parameters when compared with the data from girls. There was no evidence of iron deficiency in either sex. These data indicate that chronic hypoxia produces a significant erythrocytosis throughout adolescence in both boys and girls living at an altitude of 10,200 feet.