The present study was performed to evaluate usefulness of immunohistochemistry
on routinely processed bone marrow specimens for diagnostic purposes in anemic rats.
Rats were divided into three groups in a completely randomized design. Group A was the
control. Group B & C received zinc chloride (20mg/kg body weight) for 2 and 4 months
respectively. Significantly low percentages of LN-1 (monoclonal antibody for RBC
precursor cells) positive bone marrow cells were found in zinc chloride administered
groups compared to control one. Significant decrease was found in WBCs, RBCs counts,
Hb concentration, and PCV value in peripheral blood of zinc chloride treated groups with
slight anisocytosis. Biochemical parameters showed significant decrease in serum copper,
ceruloplasmin and iron, while total iron binding capacity (TIBC) showed significant
increase. It was concluded that overdoses of zinc therapy, which is often taken for health
enhancement, resulted in normocytic hypochromic anemia with leukopenia. Bone
marrow examination using immunohistochemistry facilitate the recognition of hypoplasia
and dyserythropoiesis induced by high dose zinc administration.