Evaluation of Heamatological Changes in Rabbits Exposed to Sodium Cyanide

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the haematological changes in rabbits due to sodium cyanide exposure.

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Animal House, Applied and Environmental Biology Department, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, between April 2020 and November 2020.

Methodology: A total of forty-eight (48) rabbits were used for the study. The study was divided into three groups including the control group. With the exception of the control rabbits, others were treated daily with 0.05 mg/kg sodium cyanide for 30 days, 60 days and 90 days respectively. Cardiac blood samples were extracted from the rabbits using standard procedure. Haematological parameters investigated include packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte (L), neutrophil (N), monocyte (M), eosinophil (E) and platelet count (P). Using an automated hematology analyzer (Genrui KT 6300 automated CBC Hematology Analyzer Coulter) Data generated were expressed as mean +SD. ANOVA and Tukeys multiple comparison test were used to compare the results between means of groups. Variation in mean of parameters were considered statistically significant at P <0.05.

Results: Haematological parameter results showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in levels of packed cell volume, neutrophil and monocyte in 3o days, 60 days and 90 days respectively as compared to control.

Conclusion: Sodium cyanide may cause an alteration in some haematological parameters of rabbits and the severity of the changes might increase with the duration of exposure.