Effect of cyclophosphamide on selected hematologic parameters of the turkey

The effect of three daily cyclophosphamide (CY) injections (doses of 0-100 mg/kg.day) on selected hematologic parameters in 7-to-8-week-old female Nicholas turkeys was examined. CY induced significant leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and heteropenia 24 to 72 hours after the initial injection; time depended on cell type and dose of CY. Significant linear correlation between increasing CY dose and increasing severity of circulating cell depression occurred. CY had no significant effect on circulating numbers of monocytes, packed cell volume, or plasma protein. Changes in basophils and eosinophils could not be identified because of their low numbers.