Development of the embryonic chick phagocytic system: intraembryonic erythrophagocytosis induced by phenylhydrazine.

The intraembryonic reticuloendothelial response to phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia was studied embryonic chicks (days 13-16) by light and electron microscopy and histochemical and biochemical assays for acid phosphatase. Phenylhydrazine was given on day 13 and tissue taken at 2, 5, and 10 h and at 1, 2, and 3 days after injections. The response varied in the three major reticuloendothelial organs. The spleen first demonstrated an increase in erythrophagocytosis that was accompanied by increased acid phosphatase levels. Erythrophagocytosis occurred primarily in the red pulp resulting in increased numbers of macrophages, increased to enlarge the spleens. By 2 days after phenylhydrazine injection, greatly enlarged macrophages began to migrate into the venous system, where some erythrophagocytosis continued to occur. The liver was also a major erythroclastic organ in which Kupffer cells became increasingly erythrophagocytic. However, erythrophagocytosis began later than in the spleen, and as measured by acid phosphatase levels, the liver was not as effective in removing damaged erythroid cells. Marrow erythrophagocytosis was only slightly enhanced; however, the marrow responded by increasing its production of red blood cells. Thus, the intraembryonic reticuloendothelial organs of the embryonic chick responded to phenylhydrazine-induced hemolytic anemia in much the same manner as might be expected of the adult bird.