Role of Pyridoxine in the Production of Leucocytes in Normal and Leukemic Mice. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1) Pyridoxine deficiency in mice produces granulocytosis and lymphopenia. 2). The leukemia of the Ak mice now being bred in this laboratory is participated in by both granulocytes and lymphocytes. In pyridoxine deficiency the leukemic granulocytosis is more severe and the survival time of the animals is decreased. 3) The hypothesis is advanced that the granulocytosis in pyridoxine-deficient mice is due to the failure on the part of the animals to perform metabolic functions in which pyridoxine derivatives play a catalytic role; thus, supplies of compounds used in the formation of granulocytes accumulate, and, as a result, the animals utilize this plethora in producing excess numbers of granulocytes. The implications of this hypothesis are discussed.