Effect of water salinity on hematological parameters in rat

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of saline water on blood parameters of rat. Forty eightmale Wistar rats were divided into four groups and treated as following: Gr I was given normal waterand served as control group; Gr II rats were given saline water containing 5600 TDS; Gr III and IV were given 50% and 25% saline water (TDS 5600) diluted with normal water. The treatment was given for 90 days and hematological parameters were analyzed on 45th and 90th day. Average Hb and PCV did not reveal significant differences; however values were numerically increased on 90th day. The mean total erythrocyte count differed significantly in treatment (II and III) and control group rats, indicating adverse effect on erythropoiesis even at 50% dilution and improvement when diluted up to 25% level. The significant increase in MCV and decrease in MCHC in treatment groups suggest-ed macrocytic hypochromic anemia. TLC and absolute values of neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophils and basophils did not reveal significant differences. Thus, high salinity water may be considered as a major factor responsible for stress, with alteration in blood constituents.