Effect of thyroidectomy, l-thyroxine and temperature on hemopoiesis in the chequered water snake, Natrix piscator

Abstract

Thyroidectomy in Natrix piscator at 30° produced a significant decrease in the total number of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit and an increase in white blood cells (WBC). By Day 45 postthyroidectomy, the number of WBC decreased to the prethyroidectomy level; l-Thyroxine suppressed the effects produced by thyroidectomy. At 16° thyroidectomy and l-thyroxine produced no effect on the blood picture, but in intact snakes RBC number, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit decreased and the number of white blood cells increased significantly. © 1976.