Light and scanning electron microscopic studies on chromium-induced anemia in a murine model

Blood hemoglobin level, hematocrit value and erythrocyte count were reduced by 17.5, 17.4 and 15.9%, respectively, as compared to the controls, in Swiss mice treated intraperitoneally with hexavalent chromium (4 mg of potassium dichromate per Kg for 5 day per week) for 2 weeks. Echinocytic transformation of 33.8% erythrocytes, as revealed by both light and scanning electron microscopy, indicated the anemia to be hemolytic in nature. Leucopenia was apparent after 2 weeks (mean leucocyte count: 4.91 thousand c mm(-1)), but not 1 week of treatment (mean count: 6.43 thousand c mm(-1)), However, cytochemical studies indicated that chromium did not interfere with iron utilization for hemoglobin synthesis and also, did not cause denaturation of already synthesized hemoglobin. The study hints to the necessity of periodic monitoring of blood in workers of chromium-dependent tanneries of Kolkata, India.