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Owing to the risks of heavy metals-induced severe haematopoietic disorders, it is important to investigate these chemicals for their haematotoxicity and the possible ways to ameliorate their toxicity. The effects of melatonin on lead-induced haematotoxicity have, therefore, been examined in rat blood and bone marrow. When adult male rats were injected intramuscularly with lead acetate (10mgkg⁻¹) daily for 7 days, the erthrocytic count, haematocrite value and haemoglobin content were significantly decreased. The counts of platelets, total leucocytes and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were also significantly lower in lead-treated rats than in control animals. The total granulocyte count was significantly elevated in the peripheral blood of the same lead-treated rats. Significant decreases in polychromatic and pyknotic erythroid series as well as lymphocytes in bone marrow of the lead-intoxicated rats were also …