Abstract
Rats maintained on a folate-free diet showed macrocytic anemia, leukopenia and increase of hypersegmented neutrophil after 2 weeks. These hematological changes became more prominent at the 4th and 6th weeks. Increase in body weight was delayed remarkably at both weeks. Folate contents in plasma, red blood cell and liver were estimated at the 2nd and 4th weeks. Low plasma and liver folate levels were observed at 2nd week and they were declined at 4th week. In red cell folate level, no decline was observed at 4th week although the value was significantly lower than that of controls. After 6th week, tetrahydrofolic acid was injected intraperitoneally 0.1 mg/g twice a week. The hematological examinations after 2 weeks showed increase of red cells and leukocytes and disappearance of hypersegmented neutrophils. Body weight was also increased through tetrahydrofolic acid.
