Effect of F on Erythrocyte Size and Morphology
Light microscopy confirmed that majority of erythrocytes
isolated from the blood of control rats are classical
discocytes (Fig. 2a). The shape of cells obtained from
the rats received 2 ppm F did not differ from that of
control rats (not shown). Rise of water F concentration to
10 ppm led to appearance of cup-like cells (stomatocytes)
in the peripheral blood. Intoxication of the rats with
20 ppm F induced other morphological distortions of
erythrocytes including formation of spikes and appearance
of spherical echinocytes, what indicates irreversible
cytoskeleton reorganization.