Effect of Sodium Amytal on Leucocytes of the Albino Rat

Abstract

Male rats of Wistar Experimental Colony strain were used in a study of the effect of sodium amytal upon the white blood cell counts. Preceding and during the experiment, these animals were under standardized and controlled conditions as previously described. 1 The procedure was as follows: At 11, 12, and 13 (1 P.M.) o'clock wet counts for the total number of white cells per cc. of blood were made. At the same time smears were prepared for differential counts. Immediately after the 11 and 12 o'clock counts, saline solution was injected as a control. After the 13 o'clock count an aqueous solution of sodium amytal, 6 mg. per 100 gm. of body weight, was injected. Wet counts were made and smears prepared every 2 hours for the next 16 hours. Sixteen male rats were used in the experimental groups. The normal curve of 53 animals determined recently under identical conditions 1 was accepted as control.

The first 3 counts were used as a basis to determine the normal expectancy for each animal for each succeeding hour (based on the findings of previous work on the normal diurnal tide of the albino rat 1 ). Let X₁, X₂, —, X₁₆, represent the actual blood count of each of the 16 animals at any given hour. Let Y₁, Y₂, —, Y₁₆, represent the count normally expected for each animal for that hour had the drug not been administered. X₁/Y₁, X₂/Y₂, —, X₁₆/Y₁₆, then represent the ratio of actual to normal, or a measure of the effect of the drug at any time. Then equals the average measure of the effect, or gives a value by which the point on the normal curve must be multiplied in order to obtain the level of leucocytosis caused by the drug at a given hour.