Effects of aflatoxin on the proportions of peripheral blood leukocytes and alpha-naphtyl acetate esterase (ANAE) positive lymphocytes in the mouse

In this study detrimental effects of aflatoxin (AF) on the peripheral blood formula and the alpha naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) - positivity profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) on the mice were determined. A total of 40 white mice were randomly divided in to 5 groups each having 8 animals. The first group served as a control and received standard diet. The remaining 4 groups were fed diets containing 200, 400, 800 and 1600 ppb AF, respectively. The results of this study have revealed that AF given by the food caused significant declines both in the proportion of PBL and in the percentages of ANAE-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes (T-lymphocytes) in a dose dependent manner. These results may be concerned as a haematological evidence for immuno-suppressive effect of AF on cell-mediated immunity.