Erythropoietic effect of ultraviolet radiation in blind rats in comparison with control seeing rats

In 40 blinded rats erythropoiesis parameters were determined in four groups of 10 animals each and were compared with similar parameters in seeing control rats. Two group of blind rats received ultraviolet radiation 405-289 nm wavelength; 140 000 erg/sec/cm2 daily for 10 minutes during 2 or 4 weeks. Two other groups served as non-irradiated blind controls. The determined parameters showed the following rise (+) or fall (-) in per cent in relation to the non-irradiated rats: haematocrit (H) +3.6 and 9.3; erythrocyte count (E) +15.1 and 13.2; reticulocyte count (R) +65.5 and 184.1; haemoglobin level (Hb) +6.6 and 13.1; 59Fe incorporation index into erythrocytes (EFe) +27.3 and 30.4, into spleen (SFe) +35.8 and 34.3, into liver (LFe) -20.9 and -19.3, into bone marrow (BFe) -22.8 and -41.9. In the seeing animals all these parameters were significantly greater; H +11.4 and 7.9; E +56.9 and 26.6; R +288.9 and 199.1; Hb +22.3 and 5.1; EFe +64.1 and 42.5; SFe +195.8 and 134.7; LFe -35.4 and -29.9; BFe -65.2 and -57.2.