Autocannibalism: The Etiology of Nerve-Resection Anemia

1. The finding of Hollán that severe anemia follows nerve resection in ratshas been confirmed.

2. By the use of total-body labeling with radioiron, it has been demonstratedthat this anemia is due to blood loss.

3. The blood lost by the nerve-sectioned rat is found in the stools, but autopsy reveals no source of gastrointestinal bleeding.

4. Anemia occurs only in animals with excoriation of the denervated foot.Anemia may be precipitated by withdrawing food for 48 hours. Hollán hasfound that amputation of the denervated limb prevents onset of the anemia.

5. It is concluded that nerve-resection anemia in the rat is due to autocannibalism of the denervated foot.

Submitted on June 1, 1959 Accepted on August 19, 1959