The effect of parturition on the blood picture of sheep

Parturition in sheep was associated with significant increases in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red cell counts. Subsequently these values gradually declined, attaining prepartum levels by the seventh day post partum. Blood leucocyte counts were also elevated at parturition and this was associated with marked neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia and mild eosinopenia. These changes were gradually reversed thereafter, with normal values being attained by the fourteenth day post partum.