Heinz body formation in calf erythrocytes.

Heinz body formation was induced in calf erythrocytes by a daily dose of 8 mg phenylhydrazine/kg body weight. Body weights and feed intakes were not affected, the glutathione content of erythrocytes was reduced, but the hemolysis rate of erythrocytes was not changed. Morphological changes in erythrocytes were shown by light and high resolution scanning microscopy. The appearance of Heinz bodies may have value as an indicator of oxidative stress under conditions such as copper toxicity or deficiency of selenium-vitamin E.