Experimental study of quantitative and corpuscular properties of rat’s leukocytes under the influence of ore

Abstract

Introduction. Mining industry workers are at risk, as heavy metal compounds that are part of copper-zinc pyrite ore can accumulate in their bodies. One of the sensitive parts of the body to the action of heavy metals is blood, in which leukocytes play a leading role.
 The study aims to explore the effect of copper-zinc pyrite ore on the quantitative and corpuscular properties of peripheral blood leukocytes.
 Materials and methods. A group of researchers have conducted an experimental study on 48 white mongrel male rats aged 3–4 months, weighing 210.5±10.5 g. For 30 days, an aqueous suspension of ore powder was orally administered to rats daily at a dose of 600 mg/kg of animal body weight. In the ore sample under study, the proportion of lead and cadmium was 0.060% and 0.009%, respectively. In accordance with the conditions of the experiment , the scientists have divided the rats into the following groups: a control group in which the rats did not receive ore; an experimental group in which rats received ore for 10 days; an experimental group in which rats received ore for 20 days; an experimental group in which rats received ore for 30 days. The researchers measured blood parameters using a veterinary semi-automatic hematology analyzer Vet Exigo 19 (Sweden), which determined the following parameters of leukocytes: total number of leukocytes, absolute number of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. We calculated the average volume of lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes based on histograms of the distribution of cells by volume issued by the device. To assess the statistical significance of the differences in variables, the authors used the Mann–Whitney U-test.
 Results. In the experimental group of animals after 30 days of ore intoxication, the average volume and number of granulocytes and monocytes increased statistically compared to the control. The authors have revealed a correlation between the parameters of cell distribution and the average volume in leukocyte populations at different times of ore intoxication.
 Conclusion. The effect of copper-zinc pyrite ore on the condition of the leukocyte link of peripheral blood was an increase in the average population volumes of all types of leukocytes by the 30th day of the experiment, due to a change in the ratio of the number of cells of different sizes and the degree of heterogeneity of the populations.
 Limitations. The limitation of this study is the model of oral administration of copper-zinc pyrite ore in the form of an aqueous suspension.
 Ethics. The authors have conducted the study in compliance with the "Rules of work using experimental animals". The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Bashkir State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Protocol No. 5 of 13.09.2017.