Abnormalities of the Erythron Flashcards
In which animals are RBCs nucleated?
Reptiles and birds
Which animals have elliptical RBCs?
Camelids
Where are the sites of RBC production?
Foetus - Liver and spleen Neonates - Bone marrow Growing animals - Bone marrow of all bones Long bones - red/yellow marrow Flat bones - remain active
Liver and spleen maintain erythropoietic capacity.
What is required for the production of RBCs?
Stem cells Space in the marrow Growth factors Iron Cholesterol/lipids Enzymes
How does the nucleus and cytoplasm change during RBC maturation? What are the stage?
- Rubriblast
- Prorubicyte
- Basophillic rubricyte
- Polychromataphilic rubricyte
- Metarubricyte
- Reticulocyte
As the cell matures the nucleus becomes more clumpy. Cytoplasm goes from dark to light blue, to orange
Nucleus is then extruded and becomes reticulocytes, which mature to erythrocyte.
What is the life span of erythrocytes in:
a. Dog
b. Cat
c. Horse, cattle
a. 100 days
b. 70 days
c. 150 days
How are RBCs usually removed?
Major route = senescent red cells taken up by phagocytic macrophages, components recycled.
Minor route = intravascular haemolysis
What is evidence for reduction in red cell mass on biochemistry?
Decreased:
- Haemoglobin concentration [Hgb]
- PCV
- Haemtocrit
- Red blood cell concentration [RBC]
What is haemtocrit?
Same as PCV but calculated. Relies on red cell count and volume. Less accurate.
What leads to decreased red cell mass?
Increased loss
Decreased production
What are the classes of anaemia?
Mild, moderate, severe
Regenerative vs non-regenerative
Normocytic, microcytic, macrocytic
Normochromic, hypochromic, hyperchromic
Describe mild anaemia…
Just below - 10% below normal PCV
May not affect animals until exercised
Common in animals with longstanding disease e.g. endocrine
Describe moderate anaemia…
May show weakness or be well adapted.
MM pallor, fast bounding pulses
Slow drop = easy to cope with
Fast drop - easily affected and weak
Describe severe anaemia…
PCV in lower teens downwards
Pale, weak, unable to exercise
May ned oxygen stabilisation before diagnostics
Don’t fight anaemic cats!
What is the difference between MCH and MCHC?
MCH = (g) Content MCHC = (g/dL) per volume of fluid i.e. bigger cells needs more haemoglobin
What does a hypochromic red blood cell indicate?
Iron deficiency/poor iron incorporation (with microcytosis)
Central pallor increases
Describe normocytic anaemia..
Erythrocyte of unremarkable size
Often associated with mild non-regenerative anaemia, acute haemorrhage
Describe macrocytic anaemia…
Regeneration - polychromatophils larger than mature RBCs
Seen in poodles
99% macrocytic are regenerative and also hypochromic
Describe microcytic anaemia…
Red cell haemoglobin concentration determinds when division stops
Iron deficiency allows an extra division
PSS, Fe, hepatic failure and akitas
If a cell is very pale, they are very thin.
When is macrocytosis of RBCs seen?
Regenerative anaemia
FeLV affected cats
In myelodysplasia
Artefact in stored blood
How does the body respond to a fall in oxygen tension?
- Kidneys respond to low blood O2 by releasing erythropoietin
- Stimulates bone marrows to increase RBC production
- Takes 2-3 days and younger cells increase in circulation
If it is regenerative, what are the potential causes of anaemia?
Haemorrhage
Haemolysis
What is the reticulocyte %?
1000 cells counted, reticulocytes expressed as a %
What is the corrected reticulocyte %?
Same number of reticulocytes will take up more % in a very anaemic animal
Reticulocyte % x patient PCV/normal PCV
When is the corrected reticulocyte % indicative of regeneration?
When it is >1% in dogs and >0.4% in cats.
What is the absolute reticulocyte concentration?
[RBC] x Retic %