Effects of Chronic Lead Acetate Intoxication on Blood Indices of Male Adult Rat

Lead as one of the environmental pollutants can threats the life of living creatures in many ways. In this study, hematological effects of chronic toxicity of the lead acetate in adult male rats through measurement of the lead concentration in the blood of animal’s heart by atomic absorption as well as hematological analyses and differential cell count were investigated. Results showed that lead concentration in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control groups (P<0.001), and basophilic stippling, Howell-Jolly bodies, decreased RBC count (anemia), increased leukocyte count (leukocytosis), monocytosis, eosinopenia, neutrophilia, and thrombocytosis were observed in the test group (P<0.001). It is concluded that microcytic hypochromic anemia can be attributed to the interaction of lead with iron and copper metabolism and increased leukocyte count may be linked to the inflammatory effects of lead on lymphatic organs.