Topic:Erythrocytes
Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are the most abundant cell type in the equine circulatory system and are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. They also facilitate the return of carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs for exhalation. Equine erythrocytes are characterized by their biconcave disc shape, which enhances their flexibility and surface area for gas exchange. The lifespan of erythrocytes in horses is approximately 140-150 days, after which they are removed from circulation and broken down, primarily in the spleen. Variations in erythrocyte count, size, and morphology can indicate various health conditions, including anemia, dehydration, and certain metabolic disorders. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the structure, function, and clinical implications of erythrocytes in equine health.
Preliminary evidence for a fourth allele at the phosphohexose isomerase (Phi) locus of horse erythrocytes. A fourth allele at the horse erythrocyte phosphohexose isomerase (Phi) locus was proposed to account for phenotypes observed after starch gel electrophoresis and enzymatic staining of red cell lysates from American Saddlebred and Tennessee Walking Horse breeds. The gene was rare, having an estimated frequency of 0.009 in 949 Saddlebreds tested.
The A system of horse erythrocyte alloantigens: a new allele and another look at factor Ae. Family data are presented for a new allele (Aabdg) in the A system of horse erythrocyte alloantigens which includes factors Aa and Ab traditionally thought to be products of allelic genes. Evidence for incorrect assignment of the codominant factor Ae in the presence of Ab and Ac and the absence of Aa is discussed.
The use of a passive hemolysis system to evaluate the complement activities of six mammalian species. A passive hemolysis assay system was developed which permitted comparisons of the hemolytic activities of complement (C) from six species. This system employs a single antigen and an antiserum raised in one species. Thus, variations resulting from different target antigens and those inherent in using antibodies (of different affinities and isotypes) raised in a variety of species were minimized. Of the erythrocytes (E) examined, those from horses and guinea pigs were most susceptible to lysis, and either would be suitable, as a tentative choice, for measuring C activity of a previously unstudi...
Serum ferritin, serum iron, and erythrocyte values in foals. Twenty-one healthy Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse foals were studied from birth until 1 year of age. Foals had access to an iron-supplemented creep feed before weaning and were fed an iron-supplemented concentrate as part of their diet after weaning at 4 months of age. Initial blood samples were taken before foals were allowed to nurse. Serum iron concentration, total iron-binding capacity, and PCV decreased during the foal's first 24 hours of life. Serum iron concentration decreased rapidly from 446 +/- 16 micrograms/dl (mean +/- SE) at birth to 105 +/- 11 micrograms/dl at 3 days of age. Seru...
[Evaluation of the effects of lipids isolated from sublimated mare’s milk on the indicators of lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of blood plasma, erythrocyte stroma and liver tissue in rats]. During six weeks rats were given a ration containing, as the only source of fat, lipids of sublimated mare's milk that had been stored with or without antioxidants (quercitrol, bisalcophen) during 3 months. The influence of specific quality of the ration fat on lipids and fatty acid composition of lipids in blood plasma, erythrocytic stroma and liver tissue, as well as on lipid peroxidation in the tissues was studied in the test animals. No changes induced by the lipids from sublimated mare's milk were detected in the parameters studied.
Heterogeneity of amino acid transport in horse erythrocytes: a detailed kinetic analysis of inherited transport variation. 1. Thoroughbred horses were divisible into five distinct amino acid transport subgroups on the basis of their erythrocyte permeability to L-alanine, measured uptake rates ranging from 5 to 625 mumol l cells-1 h-1 (0.2 mM-extracellular L-alanine, 37 degrees C). 2. Erythrocytes from animals belonging to the lowest L-alanine permeability subgroup (5-15 mumol l cells-1 h-1) (transport-deficient type) exhibited slow nonsaturable transport of this amino acid. In contrast, cells from horses of the four transport-positive subgroups possessed additional high-affinity (apparent L-alanine Km (Michaelis c...
Genetic studies of blood markers in Przewalski’s horses. Ninety-six Przewalski's horses (Equus przewalskii) were blood typed using systems of inherited blood variants known to be highly effective for parentage testing of domestic horses (E. caballus). Sixteen red cell antigenic factors detected using sera prepared by alloimmunization of domestic horses were shown to be inherited in six systems (A, C, D, P, Q, and U) and in the same patterns as domestic horses. Family data confirmed autosomal, codominant inheritance at five loci of serum protein variants (Al, Tf, Xk, Pi, and Es) and three loci of red cell proteins (PGM, PHI, and Hb). One serum protei...
Modification and evaluation of a multichannel blood cell counting system for blood analysis in veterinary hematology. A multichannel, semiautomated, blood cell counting system (Coulter Counter Model S550) was modified for use in veterinary hematology by increasing both the erythrocyte and leukocyte aperture currents to 225 V and 195 V, respectively, followed by calibration with human blood. It was evaluated by use of 350 samples from dogs, cats, horses, and cows. Values for leukocyte count, erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, and hematocrit generated by the S550 were compared with values generated by an automated multichannel counter with histogram capability and other reference procedures when approp...
Complement-mediated hemolysis of horse erythrocytes treated with equine infectious anemia virus. Horse erythrocytes treated with equine infectious anemia virus hemagglutinin were found to be lysed after incubation with fresh horse serum at 37 degrees C. Fresh guinea pig serum induced more efficient hemolysis than horse serum. Direct immunofluorescence test revealed the adsorption of complement factors on the surface of the erythrocytes. Calcium and magnesium ions were necessary for the hemolysis to take place. Antibody against equine infectious anemia virus enhanced the virus-induced complement-mediated hemolysis. These observations indicated that the classical pathway of complement activ...
Heparin-induced agglutination of erythrocytes in horses. Heparin was administered subcutaneously 2 times a day for 4 days to 5 horses. An additional group of 5 horses was used as time-matched controls. Significant decreases in PCV, erythrocyte count, and hemoglobin concentration were observed during heparin therapy. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the heparin-treated horses increased to a peak value of 66.1 fl on the last day of treatment. Erythrocyte creatine concentration and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity increased moderately during the treatment. These data indicated that the rapid, profound increase in MCV during heparin therap...
Phagocytosis of horse erythrocytes treated with equine infectious anemia virus by cultivated horse leukocytes. Horse erythrocytes treated with equine infectious anemia virus hemagglutinin were phagocytized by cultivated horse leukocytes (mainly macrophage-like cells and partly polymorphonuclear cells) after incubation with fresh horse serum but not with inactivated horse serum. The phagocytosis began as soon as the erythrocytes were added to the leukocyte cultures, and the majority of the reaction proceeded within 30 minutes. Addition of antiserum showed a slightly suppressing but no enhancing effect on the phagocytosis. Phagocytosis seemed to be caused by the recognition of the third complement compon...
Cervico-endometrial cytology and physiological aspects of the post-partum mare. After parturition, Thoroughbred mares were mated at the first post-partum oestrus (N = 24) or at a subsequent oestrus (N = 12). All mares were examined daily for: oestrous detection, palpation per rectum of the genital tract, vaginoscopic examination and cervico-endometrial cytology. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out at Days 18, 35 and 45 after mating. An identical first service conception rate of 50% was found in both groups. The number of neutrophils followed a descending profile to only scattered cells at the first post-partum oestrus and in Group II mares remained at this very low level ...
Erythrocyte agglutination associated with heparin treatment in three horses. In vitro erythrocyte agglutination developed in 3 hospitalized horses receiving heparin treatment. The agglutination caused artifactual decreases in erythrocyte counts and increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values. Treatment of cell suspensions with trypsin eliminated the agglutination and the changes in erythrocyte count and MCV. Similar abnormalities in erythrocyte counts and MCV have been reported in healthy horses treated with heparin and have been cited as evidence of hemolysis and regenerative anemia.
Electronic measurement of erythrocyte volume and volume heterogeneity in horses during erythrocyte regeneration associated with experimental anemias. Anemia was induced in three groups of horses by moderate or severe acute hemorrhage, or by acetyl phenylhydrazine-induced hemolysis (Groups I, II, and III, respectively). Serial hemograms were done on a multichannel automated blood cell counter with histogram capability. Changes in hematocrit, mean cell volume, erythrocyte number, red cell distribution width (RDW), and standard deviation of erythrocyte volume were examined over time. Significant increases in mean cell volume were first detectable by days 17, 20, and 14 and reached maximum by days 43, 41, and 29, in Groups I, II, and III, respe...
Quantitative buffy coat analysis of blood collected from dogs, cats, and horses. Using quantitative buffy coat analysis (QBCA), rapid and accurate measurements can be made of the erythrocyte PCV, total WBC count, and platelet count, and the leukocyte population can be differentiated into total granulocytes (including quantitation of eosinophils), and lymphocytes and monocytes. The QBCA is performed by placing a blood sample (50 to 111 microliters) into a high-precision-bore microhematocrit tube that contains a freely moving, closely fitting, cylindrical plastic float. After centrifugation for 5 minutes, the buffy coat components separate by density. The plastic cylinder fl...
Experimental Babesia equi infection in mature horses. Nine 4-year-old Arabian geldings were experimentally infected with Babesia equi of European origin. All horses developed detectable parasitemia an average of 30 days after they were inoculated, which was accompanied by a decrease in PCV. The infections were generally mild with no animal deaths. All horses became serologically positive by the indirect fluorescent antibody test within an average of 23 days after they were inoculated and by the complement-fixation test 30 days after they were inoculated.
Comparison of the haemogram between three-year-old Thoroughbred stayers and sprinters. Results of blood counts have been analysed in three-year-old racehorses in training comprising 77 colt stayers, 27 colt sprinters, 61 filly stayers and 35 filly sprinters. The distributions of haemoglobin, erythrocyte count and haematocrit were significantly higher in colt stayers compared to the other three groups. In fillies these values were also significantly higher in stayers compared to sprinters. The erythrocyte count was significantly higher in filly stayers compared to colt sprinters but there were no significant differences between haemoglobin or haematocrit values in these groups. N...
Effects of warfarin on blood rheology in navicular disease. A preliminary investigation has been undertaken of blood rheology in horses and ponies, its variation in navicular disease and the changes following treatment with warfarin. Erythrocyte flexibility, measured by a centrifuge packing technique, is higher in horses (30 per cent min-1) than in ponies (23.8 per cent min-1). There are corresponding differences in blood viscosity. The high erythrocyte flexibility in horses is caused by an unknown factor present in plasma. The erythrocyte flexibility in horses with navicular disease is even higher, at 38.5 per cent min-1. Treatment with warfarin reduc...
An unusual pattern of Na+ and K+ movements across the horse erythrocyte membrane. Marked differences in the activities of three monovalent cation transport systems in horse versus human erythrocytes are reported. Whereas horse erythrocytes exhibit a 6-fold higher sodium-lithium countertransport, the unidirectional flux of potassium through the sodium pump is 3-4 times slower and the sodium-potassium cotransport system cannot be detected. In spite of this, horse and human cells are able to maintain similar Na+ and K+ gradients.
Continuous-flow centrifugation hemapheresis in the horse. In a continuous-flow centrifugation apheresis technique adapted for blood-component separation and collection in horses, hydroxyethyl starch was not required for erythrocyte sedimentation. The efficacy and separation characteristics of whole blood from 10 horses were evaluated at various gravitational forces (700 to 1,500 rpm), using a constant withdrawal rate (100 ml/min). Maximum leukocyte collection occurred at 700 rpm (P less than 0.01), and optimal neutrophil collection occurred at 700 to 750 rpm (P less than 0.01). Although neutrophil counts decreased and lymphocyte counts remained const...
Cytolytic activity of liposomes containing stearylamine. In order to develop the cytotoxic liposome, the cytolytic effect of polycationic liposome was examined. Upon incubation of the stearylamine-containing liposome (stearylamine-liposome) with rabbit erythrocyte, a significant extent of hemolysis was observed. Hemolytic activity of the liposome depends on the amount of stearylamine in the liposome membrane. The plots of the initial rate of hemolysis versus the concentration of stearylamine-liposome showed a sigmoidal curve, suggesting that stearylamine-liposomes act cooperatively on the erythrocyte membrane. Hemolytic activity of stearylamine-lipo...
Diurnal changes in the hematological indices in the blood of racing Arabian horses. In 8 stallions and 6 mares of pure Arabian horses the diurnal changes in the number and certain parameters of red and white blood cells were studied. All of them showed distinct diurnal changes but they did not fulfill the conditions of circadian rhythm according to Halberg. It was found that most of peaks occurred during the dark phase of 24 hr period except the percentage of eosinophils, erythrocyte diameters and cell rate sedimentation. The majority of indices studied showed the higher mean diurnal levels in the mares than in the stallions.
[Normal values of the hematological, biochemical and enzymological indices of the donkey]. Studied were a total of 85 (33 male and 52 female) donkeys of the Martina Franca breed of the domestic ass, aged from one to twelve years. Stated are the results for the normal values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, ESR, total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, leukocyte formula, blood sugar, cholesterin, urea, total protein and protein fractions, some micro- and macroelements, and enzymes as tabulated in four diagrams. No differences have been established with regard to sex. It has been found that with young animals the normal values of hemoglobin and erythrocytes are lower than with adult ones. Wi...
Seasonal changes in the red blood cell indices in Arabian brood mares and their foals. In 34 pure-bred Arabian horses, divided into four groups (Gr. I, 10 pregnant mares; Gr. II, seven barren mares; Gr. III, 10 foals born in 1981; Gr. IV, seven foals born in 1982), seasonal changes in haemoglobin level, haematocrit value, sedimentation rate, red blood cell number and diameter, percentage of erythroblasts and reticulocytes, and index F were studied. Seasonal cyclicity was found in all groups in the haemoglobin level, haematocrit value and RBC diameter. It was also found in the sedimentation rate (PCV) and in index F, but not for the youngest foals (Gr. IV). For the RBC number the...
Erythrogram and red cell distribution width of Equidae with experimentally induced anemia. The erythrogram (erythrocyte histogram) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were evaluated in 5 purebred horses and 1 pony of mixed breeding with experimentally induced anemia. Four horses were studied for 6 weeks after 20% of their estimated blood volume was removed on each of 2 consecutive days (40% total blood loss; acute blood-loss group). Two horses were given acetylphenyl hydrazine IV daily, until acute Heinz body hemolytic anemia was induced; the 2 horses were then evaluated for 6 weeks. One horse and the pony had 20% of their estimated blood volume removed via phlebotomy once each we...
Survival of rabbit and horse erythrocytes in vivo after changing the fatty acyl composition of their phosphatidylcholine. The phospholipid composition and the distribution of phospholipids over the two leaflets of the membrane have been investigated for rabbit and horse erythrocyte membranes. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) comprises 39.4% and 41.3% of the total phospholipid complement of the rabbit and horse erythrocytes, respectively. In both membranes the distribution of this phospholipid is asymmetric: 70% of the PC is present in the outer layer of the rabbit membrane and 60% in that of the horse. The major species of this phospholipid class are the (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl)- and the (1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl)PC. The di...
Enhanced biliary bilirubin excretion after heparin-induced erythrocyte mass depletion. The effect of large-dose heparin therapy on erythrocyte mass depletion in ponies was investigated to determine whether stimulation of reticuloendothelial cell activity and catabolic function would be evidenced by enhanced catabolism of heme to bilirubin. Ponies with chronic external biliary fistula were used to examine biliary excretion of bilirubin both before and after heparin loading (107 U/kg, IV, plus 320 U/kg, subcutaneously) and at maintenance dosages of 320 U/kg given (subcutaneously) at 12 and 24 hours after initial loading with heparin. Results indicated that by 48 hours after ponies...
Equine bone marrow: a quantitative analysis of erythroid maturation. The equine bone marrow responds to blood loss by increased erythropoiesis, only releasing reticulocytes into the peripheral circulation in severe chronic anemia. We have used morphometric analysis based on electron microscopy of the equine marrow to examine the maturation and release of reticulocytes. Developing red cells in the bone marrows of normal and chronically anemic horses were divided into four stages: early, intermediate, late-stage erythroblasts, and reticulocytes. Morphometric analysis of each stage included volume density of mitochondria per micron3 of cytoplasm, surface area of t...
Breed and species comparison of amino acid transport variation in equine erythrocytes. The amino acid permeability of red blood cells from Equus caballus (thoroughbred, Arab, shire and pony), E przewalskii (Przewalski's horse), E asinus (donkey and mule) and E burchelli (common or plains zebra) was measured. Individual animals exhibited stable but widely differing rates of L-[U-14C]alanine uptake in the range 5 to 1554 mumol (litre cells)-1 h-1 (0.2 mM extracellular L-alanine, 37 degrees C). Of the thoroughbreds tested, 30 per cent had red blood cells which were essentially impermeable to L-alanine (5 to 10 mumol (litre cells)-1 h-1, giving transport rates similar to those found...
Hematology, blood typing, and immunology of the neonatal foal. Hematologic parameters change during the first 10 days of life. Erythrocytes increase in number but decrease in size and hemoglobin concentration. The PCV, hemoglobin, and platelet count also decrease. Total blood and plasma volume and, to lesser extent, erythrocyte volume decrease. Normal neonatal foals may have immature neutrophils (up to 5 per cent bands), and their early rapid rise in neutrophil numbers may be accompanied by a lymphopenia. Monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils are all absent or low initially. Infectious processes can cause rapid and variable changes in the leukogram. Howev...