The effects of different diets on blood cells in rats during late puerperium

The aim of this study was to assess the possible adverse effects of different dietary regimens—namely diets based onbakery products and meat products—on erythrocytes, their morphology, erythrocyte indices, platelets, leukocytes, andthe leukogram in rats during late puerperium. A monotonous diet may affect the hematological profile and potentiallycause pathophysiological disorders. The study included 18 clinically healthy rats in the late puerperal period, divided intothree groups of six animals each: a group fed meat products (Group M), a group fed bakery products (Group H), and acontrol group (Group K) that consumed standard pelleted rodent feed. All groups of rats were fed their respective dietsseparately for a period of 49 days. At the end of the experimental period, hematological blood analyses were performed.Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among the groups for the parameters MCV, MCH, and PLT. It wasalso established that HCT, HGB, MCV, and MCH values in the experimental bakery-product group (H) were lower than boththe physiological reference intervals and the corresponding values in the control group (K). Moderate anulocytosis wasobserved, accompanied by hypochromic erythrocytes of reduced volume. Regarding the experimental group that consumedprocessed meat products, the results indicated the presence of hypochromic anemia, as evidenced by decreasedHGB, MCV, and MCH values. Examination of peripheral blood smears revealed the presence of poikilocytotic erythrocyteforms, namely echinocytes, with a notable percentage occurrence (14.05%) within microscopic fields of view. A diet basedon bakery products led to changes in hematological parameters, resulting in the development of iron-deficiency anemia.Furthermore, prolonged consumption of meat products contributed to the development of hypochromic anemia and suggestedpossible impairment of kidney function. This study demonstrated that rats during the late puerperal period are notimmune to the adverse effects of a monotonous meat-based diet nor to a monotonous diet consisting of bakery products.