The effects of different diets on blood cells in rats during late puerperium
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66179/rats.60Keywords:
Young adult rat, hematological parameters, hypochromic erythrocytes, echinocytes, leukogram, iron-deficiency anemia, hypochromic anemiaAbstract
The aim of this study was to assess the possible adverse effects of different dietary regimens—namely diets based on
bakery products and meat products—on erythrocytes, their morphology, erythrocyte indices, platelets, leukocytes, and
the leukogram in rats during late puerperium. A monotonous diet may affect the hematological profile and potentially
cause pathophysiological disorders. The study included 18 clinically healthy rats in the late puerperal period, divided into
three groups of six animals each: a group fed meat products (Group M), a group fed bakery products (Group H), and a
control group (Group K) that consumed standard pelleted rodent feed. All groups of rats were fed their respective diets
separately for a period of 49 days. At the end of the experimental period, hematological blood analyses were performed.
Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among the groups for the parameters MCV, MCH, and PLT. It was
also established that HCT, HGB, MCV, and MCH values in the experimental bakery-product group (H) were lower than both
the physiological reference intervals and the corresponding values in the control group (K). Moderate anulocytosis was
observed, accompanied by hypochromic erythrocytes of reduced volume. Regarding the experimental group that consumed
processed meat products, the results indicated the presence of hypochromic anemia, as evidenced by decreased
HGB, MCV, and MCH values. Examination of peripheral blood smears revealed the presence of poikilocytotic erythrocyte
forms, namely echinocytes, with a notable percentage occurrence (14.05%) within microscopic fields of view. A diet based
on bakery products led to changes in hematological parameters, resulting in the development of iron-deficiency anemia.
Furthermore, prolonged consumption of meat products contributed to the development of hypochromic anemia and suggested
possible impairment of kidney function. This study demonstrated that rats during the late puerperal period are not
immune to the adverse effects of a monotonous meat-based diet nor to a monotonous diet consisting of bakery products.
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