Development of parabiosis intoxication in rat parabionts

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Abstract
The development of parabiosis intoxication, primary symptoms of which are anemia of one animal and concomitant hyperemia of the other, was sequentially followed in Holtzman (Sprague‐Dawley) — Charles River (Sprague‐Dawley) parabionts. Hemoglobin and hematocrit determinations, RBC, reticulocyte and WBC counts were done on blood removed from pairs by cardiac puncture. In addition bone marrow total nucleated cell counts were done, systolic blood pressure measurements were taken and cross circulation rates were studied with Cr51 tagged erythrocytes. Intoxication developed rapidly in these distantly related pairs about 10 days after union and terminated in death or breakdown of the union by 21 days. The anemia, which was not limited to one or the other partner, was accompanied by reticulocytosis and normal nucleated bone marrow cell counts indicating no suppression of marrow function. The anemic partner also showed total white cell counts elevated over those in the hyperemic partner at 13 days after union. The partner destined to become hyperemic showed elevated systolic blood pressure concomitant to the change in erythrocyte values suggesting that no causal relation exists between blood pressure and the development of intoxication. Cross circulation rates tested with Cr51 tagged erythrocytes showed slowing of circulation evident as early as nine days after parabiosis. Some pairs maintained circulation rates similar to controls for as long as 15 days, but in the majority cross circulation had virtually ceased by this time.