Abnormalities of the Erythron Flashcards
What is different about the shape of Camelid RBC’s?
they’re elliptical shape
What is different about avian and reptile RBC’s?
RBC’s are nucleated
Where are RBC’s produced in both foetus and adults?
Liver/spleen in foetus
Bone Marrow- specifically in long bones in adults [liver and spleen do retain some erythropoietic capacity]
What is required for Red Blood cell production? (5)
Stem cells- duh
Space in marrow
Growth factors- IL-3, GM-CSF
Iron for Hb molecule production
Cholesterol/ Lipids for membrane
What is the most immature form of a RBC?
Rubriblast- has a dark blue cytoplasm on stain
What is the lifespan of Erythrocytres in domestic species?
Dog- 100 days
Cat- 70 days
[cow/ horse- 150 days]
How are RBC’s eliminated at the end of their lifecycle? (2)
Major route- taken up by phagocytic macrophages and components recycled in the spleen/liver
Minor route- intravascular haemolysis
Anaemia is a reduction in red cell mass, this can mean a decrease in… (4)
Haemoglobin Concentration
Packed cell volume- percentage of cells in a volume of blood
Haematocrit- red cell count and cell volume
Red blood cell concentration
What can we assess in a Packed Cell Volume test? (3)
Buffy coat assessment- leukocytes & thrombocytes
Plasma
Total protein measurement
A decrease in red cell mass can be due to… (2)
Increased loss
Decreased production
When would we classify Anaemia as MILD?
when PCV is 10% below normal- no clinical signs usually found by accident when investigating another pathology
Moderate Anaemia is classified based on…
Mucous membrane pallor, fast bounding pulse,
What are the signs of Severe Anaemia?
PCV in the lower teens and pale, weak presentation
How can we determine if the cells in a RBC sample are normocytic, macrocytic or microcytic?
Look at mean cell volume- based on cell numbers and cell size
Normocytic RBC’s are pathologically seen in…
Why?
mild non regenerative anaemia or acute haemorrhage
because bone marrow release too few macrocytic reticulocytes so most RBCs in the blood are those normocytic normochromic RBCs remaining from prior production
How do Microcytic RBC’s come into existance?
Hb conc determines when division stops- low iron means low Hb means it keep dividing resulting in smaller RBC’s
Give an example of non pathological Microcytic RBC’s?
Akitas- naturally have smaller RBC’s
RBC’s with a thin outer membrane are known as…
Microcytic