[Morphologic features of erythrocytes in normal subjects and in anemia caused by lead poisoning (electron microscopic...

The methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study erythrocytes from normal subjects and those suffering from anemia of lead poisoning genesis. Erythrocytes from normal subjects were shown to have predominantly convex-concave and biconcave shapes. An insignificant portion of ageing erythrocytes of spherical shape and decreased volume had granular surface and consolidated hemoglobin. Normally, in addition to the above-mentioned cells, erythrocytes with an abnormal relief occur: with perforating openings, crypt-like recesses, tubercles and processes. In anemia, the number of atypical erythrocytes increased many-fold. The process of sequestration and fragmentation of hemoglobin-containing particles is one of the mechanisms of anemia development.