Erythrocytes Flashcards
What is bone marrow transit time?
5 days
Reticulocytes normally remain in bone marrow how long?
2-3 days
Normal HCT range
37-55%
CRF HCT range
22-25%, can be as low as 0%
The original rubriblast produces how many RBCs?
4 divisions - 16 RBCs
How is erithropoietin release regulated?
The kidney responds to hypoxia by activating the hormone erythropoietin.
What does erythropoietin do?
Erythropoietin stimulates stem cell differentation to rubriblasts and early reticulocyte release.
How do androgens effect erythropoiesis?
They stimulate erythropoietion or potentiate its action.
How do estrogens effect erythropoiesis?
Estrogens have an inhibitory effect on erythropoiesis.
RBC life span in dogs
120 days
RBC life span in cats
70 days
RBC life span in cows
160 days
RBC life span in horses
145 days
How do old RBCs leave circulation under normal circumstances?
The major route of blood cell loss is phagocytosis by RE cells. A minor route is intravascular lysis and release of hemoglobin. The routes of RBC destruction are similar in hemolytic anemia.
What is the primary function of hemoglobin (Hb)?
HB carries oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What does hematocrit or packed cell volume measure?
Hematocrit (Hct) or packed cell volume (PCV) is the percentage of blood composed of red blood cells.
What components are evident in a centerfuged capillary tube?
There are three portions of centerfuged whole blood - a red cell layer, a white cell layer (the “Buffy coat”) and plasma.
What can plasma be used to evaluate?
Plasma can be used for plasma protein concentration using a refractometer. Plasma fibrinogen can be measured by using a heat precipatior and refractometer.
What is the normal appearance of plasma in the dog and cat?
clear and colorless
What is the normal appearance of plasma in the horse and cow?
light yellow
What is the appearance of icteric plasma?
yellow and clear
What is the appearance of hemoglobinemic plasma?
Pink to red and clear
What is the appearance of lipemic plasma?
whitish and turpid
Where can microfilaria be found in centerfuged whole blood taken from heartworm positive animals?
Microfilaria can be found in the layer of plasma just above the Buffy coat.
What is hemoglobin concentration?
Hemoglobin concentration is the most direct measure of oxygen transport capacity of the blood. It should be abut 1/3 of the total PCV.
How is hemoglobin concentration determined?
Hemoglobin concentration is most frequently determined via automated methods. Its accuracy is +/- 5% and the presence of lipemia or an abnormal number of Heinz bodies can result in an abnormally high reading.
How is the red blood cell count determined?
There are two methods to determine the red blood cell count. Automatic counters are more accurate. Direct counts using a hemocytometer have a large margin of error +/-20%.
How does anemia effect the Hct, Hb, and RBC counts?
low values
How does absolute polycythemia effect Hct, Hb and RBC counts?
high values
How does splenic contraction effect Hct, Hb and RBC counts?
high values