Intrasplenic pH in normal and phenylhydrazine-induced anemic rats

Direct measurement of te intrasplenic pH with a microcombination glass pH probe was performed in rats. The pH probe was inserted into the splenic pulp during measurements. In the normal rats, the pH was 7.21. However, in rats with hemolytic anemia induced by phenylhydrazine treatment, the pH decreased to 7.01. The level of lactic acid in the spleen was also determined. The lactic acid content in the spleen of anemic rats was found to be higher (1.20-1.44 micrometeroles/gm spleen) than that of normal rats (0.70-0.74 micrometeroles/gm spleen). The results that the lower pH in the spleens of anemic rats may result from an increase in the lactic acid level in the spleen.