Hematological lesions in rat following heavy alcohol ingestion.

Hematological fluctuations following large alcohol oral administration (2 mL per animal per day) in rats were monitored at intervals ranging from 10 to 22 weeks and the findings were compared to those in control animals that were fed sucrose isocalorically. Following alcohol ingestion, there was a significant decrease in the total blood cellularity at all treatment intervals. A fall in the erythrocyte count per millimeter3 was accompanied by decreased hematocrit values and hemoglobin levels in the alcohol-treated animals. On the other hand, the MCV and MCH values were significantly elevated after alcohol ingestion. Despite overall leukopenia observed after alcohol ingestion, there was a significant increase in the absolute neutrophil count. The absolute lymphocyte count, however, fell significantly in the alcohol-treated animals. Eosinophils and basophils were not significantly altered by alcohol toxicity.