Haemorrhagic and haemolytic anaemias in the rabbit: a clinically relevant laboratory project in physiology

Study of animal models of human anaemias has been part of a laboratory curriculum in physiology for several years. Bleeding or phenylhydrazine injection of rabbits produced anaemias simulating important clinical disorders. Data obtained by the students are given, showing the course over a 14-day period of haemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and reticulocyte counts. Expected and unexpected laboratory findings posed problems that could only be solved by drawing on knowledge within wide areas of physiology. The attitude of the students to this exercise was evaluated with a questionnaire method and found to be very favourable.