Study of subchronic exposure of ethephon induced cytomorphological and numerical alterations in the blood picture of albino rat.

Ethephon (C₂H₆ClO₃P) (ETP) is indiscriminately used as a pre and post-harvest ripening agent in a variety of marketed fruits. The mode of action of ripening by ETP is mediated on liberation of the natural plant ripening hormone-ethylene. ETP also belongs to the class of organophosphorus pesticides. Under this background, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the toxic effect of ETPin the haematological picture of albino rat exposed repeatedly to two different doses of ETP viz. 25 mg, 50 mg/kg body wt./day for a period of 90 days through oral administration. The study was carried out on the basis of cytomorphological and numerical alterations of different blood cells. Cytomorphological and numerical level of different haematological indices such as TLC (total leucocyte count), DLC (differential leucocyte count), TEC (total erythrocyte count), Hb (Haemoglobin) content and PCV (packed cell volume) were performed following standard methods.

Findings of the present study showed a progressive increase in the TLC with an abnormal count of DLC in chemical treated groups compared to their normal counterparts. However, a gradual depletion of Hb content, PCV and TEC were found in all the treated groups. Cytomorphological changes of disc shaped erythrocytes manifested numerous stomatocytes appearance with central pallor, discocyte asymmetry and various forms of membrane deformities, macroscopic hypochromic ring and teardrop-shaped cells. Appearance of Heinz bodies in the erythrocyte was another marked feature of cellular abnormalities. Various immature WBC like ring type eosinophils and blast formation of granulocytic series, fragmented neutrophil along with membrane irregularity in many white blood cells were also evident in the peripheral blood film.

Analysis of the present findings concluded that ETP is a potent agent that can cause alterations in the blood picture at cytomorphological and numerical level. Therefore, it establishes the haematotoxic nature of the chemical.