Techniques for induction of neutropenia and granulocytosis in rats.

After a single administration of vinblastine, rats develop profound neutropenia. The agranulocytosis lasts 3 days, and it is observed on the third, fourth and fifth day after vinblastine administration. The granulocytosis that develops on days 7-14 after vinblastine administration was significantly increased when androgenic steroids were administered. Deca-Durabolin induced greater granulocytosis than testosterone. The peak values were observed 10 and 12 days, respectively, after drug administration. All values of WBC's, granulocytes and hematocrit ratios were obtained in unanesthetized, unrestrained rats from an aortic cannula implanted at least 10 days prior to the experiment.