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Published on: June 22, 2017
THE EFFECT OF ETHYL URETHANE ANESTHESIA ON THE ACID-BASE EQUILIBRIUM AND CELL CONTENTS OF THE BLOOD
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Ethyl urethane anesthesia in rodents causes significant alkalosis by increasing blood carbon dioxide (CO2) and pH. This is accompanied by changes in white blood cell counts, specifically fewer lymphocytes and more polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Hematology
- Physiology
Background:
- Ethyl urethane is a common anesthetic agent used in rodent research.
- Understanding the physiological effects of anesthetics is crucial for experimental design and animal welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of ethyl urethane anesthesia on blood gas levels and pH in rabbits and rats.
- To examine the impact of ethyl urethane anesthesia on circulating white blood cell populations.
Main Methods:
- Anesthesia was induced in rabbits and rats using ethyl urethane injections.
- Blood samples were collected to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) content and pH.
- Complete blood counts were performed to analyze lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear leukocyte levels.
Main Results:
- Ethyl urethane anesthesia led to a rapid increase in blood CO2 content and pH, indicating uncompensated alkalosis.
- The alkalosis peaked at 24 hours post-injection and persisted for up to 48 hours.
- A decrease in circulating lymphocytes and an increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes were observed concurrently with the alkalosis.
Conclusions:
- Ethyl urethane anesthesia induces significant metabolic alkalosis in rodents.
- Anesthesia with ethyl urethane alters the host's immune cell profile, characterized by lymphopenia and neutrophilia.
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