Abstract
Erythrocyte Morphology, Osmotic Fragility and Hematological Studies after Short Term Dietary Copper Deficiency in Male Wistar Rats
Department of Zoology, Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004, India
Correspondence Address:
Neena Nair, Department of Zoology, Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004, India, E-mail: neenazoology@yahoo.co.in
Trace element copper is involved in myriad of physiological activities vital for normal function of organs of animals and humans from fetal development onwards. Its deficiency might occur in infants, children as well as adults and has been reported as a global problem affecting developed and undeveloped countries. Copper is essential for efficient iron uptake and mobilization. The present study evaluates the effect of dietary copper deficiency on erythrocyte of prepubertal male Wistar rats for 2, 4 and 6 w. Erythrocyte morphology, osmotic fragility, hematological parameters-hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, cell count (neutrophil, lymphocytes monocytes, eosinophils, platelets), packed cell volume, total red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were evaluated. Occurrence of stomatocytes, echinocytes, dracocytes, acanthocytes, Howell-Jolly inclusion, microcyte and macrocytes were observed after 2 and 4 w of copper deficiency when compared with their respective control and pair fed groups. The extent of morphological changes enhanced after 6 w of dietary copper deficiency with additional appearance of fragmented cells and few elongated cells. The percentage of altered erythrocyte morphology after 2 w deficiency was 0.051 % which enhanced subsequently as duration increased to 0.081 % (4 w) and 0.1709 % (6 w). Consequent to these changes significant (p<0.05) increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility, eosinophil and lymphocyte count was observed while hemoglobin, neutrophil and platelet count, packed cell volume, total red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration decreased. Monocyte decrease was not significant. These changes were more pronounced after 4 and 6 w. Dietary copper insufficiency caused impairment of membrane, deregulation of hematopoiesis and altered the hematological profile indicating detrimental changes in properties of cellular membrane which may probably be due to enhanced oxidative stress.
