Studies on the effect of splenectomy on the total leukocyte count in the albino rat.

By .1. U. P r um R,* Ml)., ILEEN KEMP, BA., U. E. CARTWRIGHT, MI)., AND M. M. \VINTROIIF:, M.l)., PHI). C nAN(;ES have been noted! in the blood following removal of the spleen in normal animals and in human subjects, but the mechanism involved in the production of these changes remains obscure. Both anemia and polycythemia, as well as morphologic and physiologic alterations in the red cells such as target cells, Howell Jolly bodies and decreased osmotic fragility’4 have been reported following removal of the normal spleen. These changes have been attributed by some investigators to remote effects of the spleen on red cell formation2 afl(l by others to alterations produced by splenectomy in the rate of 1)100(1 destruction.3 Leukocytosis, which is more prolonged than that following other operations, has been noted after splenectomy in man4’ and animals.5’ 6 Similarly, an increased! number of platelets found has been attributed by some to operative trauma,9 by others to a specific effect of the spleen in inhibiting platelet production, and h)y still others to removal of the normal site of platelet destruction.2’ 7