Postnatal effects of chemically induced intrauterine growth retardation on some hematological values in the rat.

The effects of artificially induced intrauterine growth retardation on hematological values of the rat are manifest only temporarily in the red blood cell number, the amount of hemoglobin, and the 2,3-DPG. These three elements reached normal levels after the fifth day of postnatal life. We believe that this temporary effect may be the consequence of the short-term effect of hydroxyurea (the drug used to produce intrauterine growth retardation) upon DNA synthesis in the hematopoietic system. The animals compensate for the low red cell number and low hemoglobin by raising the levels of 2,3-DPG brought about by the temporary anoxia.