Heavy lithium ingestion and haematological changes in rats.

Haematological lesions (viz. total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, RBC count, haematocrit value) have been studied in both adults and freshly weaned rat pups following heavy oral (50 mg/kg b.wt.) lithium administration for 2 months. Significant increase in the total leukocyte count/mm3 and neutrophil count/mm3 accompanied by concomitant fall in the lymphocyte count/mm3 was observed in both the adults and weaned rat pups at all the treatment intervals. Erythrocyte count and the haematocrit values were also significantly increased in both the treated adults and pups as compared to their age matched controls. Physiological significance of these haematological fluctuations has been discussed.