Changes in erythrocyte metabolism following acute blood loss in chickens

The effect of acute blood loss on erythrocyte metabolism has been studied in a number of mammals. This study was designated to provide comparative data in chickens. Twenty to 30 ml of blood were removed from 7 chickens for 3 successive days. Packed red cell volumes were restored at the rate of 1.46% per day, and a maximum reticulocyte count (26.7%) occurred on the third day after the initial phlebotomy. Fourteen of the 16 erythrocyte enzymes measured became elevated significantly. Enzymatic activity was increased when the greatest numbers of young red cells were in the circulation and declined as the erythrocytes aged. Initial enzymatic activity was not related to the subsequent magnitude of increased activity. Inositol pentaphosphate, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, and reduced glutathione, but not 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, increased significantly in the postphlebotomy period. The markedly rapid and significant rise of inositol pentaphosphate suggested that it was controlled. That could be the way hemoglobin function is controlled during changing physiologic requirements.