Influence of zinc deficiency on phagocytosis in mice.

The influence of phagocytic activity on the early stage defence mechanisms in zinc deficient mice was studied using active oxygen production as a parameter and the results obtained were as follows: 1. The body weight of the zinc deficient mice was decreased significantly compared with that of the normal mice. 2. Zinc levels in the liver and blood of the zinc deficient group showed low comparing with the zinc adequate and the control groups (P less than 0.01). 3. The numbers of intraperitoneal (i.p.) cells, which play a leading role in early stage defense mechanisms, showed lower levels in the zinc deficient mice than that of the normal mice. 4. Phagocytic activity was measured as active oxygen production and this activity was found to be impaired in zinc deficient mice. 5. After the typing of i.p. cells and blood cells, it was proved that lymphocyte (lym.) was the main cell (68.5% and 73.8%) in i.p. cells and blood cells of the zinc deficient mice. The control group (non-treated mice) and the zinc adequate group showed a similar pattern of these zinc deficient mice.