Cytochemical abnormalities of the leukocytes of peripheral blood of rabbits in chronic experimental intoxication with mercuric vapors.

Cytochemical changes were studied in leukocytes in peripheral blood smears from rabbits chronically exposed to mercury vapor. Experimental animals were exposed in a toxicologic chamber to air containing metallic mercury in concentrations of 2.0-2.5 mg/m3 for 3 hours daily over 12 weeks. In the poisoned rabbits, as compared with controls, alkaline phosphatase activity was depressed in granulocytes, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in granulocytes and lymphocytes. The activities of acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, the color reaction with Sudan black B and the p.a.S. reaction were not affected.