Postnatal loss of bovine fetal hemoglobin
Lee, C.K.; Odell, G.V.; Eliot, F.P.; Anderson, I.L.; Jones, E.W.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 32(7): 1039-1044
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5089191 Document Number: 38733
In 15 new-born calves, foetal haemoglobin (HbF) concentration was between 60 and 97% (mean 89.2%) and haemoglobin A (HbA) concentration was between 3 and 31% (mean 10.8%). The HbF in the calves decreased rapidly after they were born and was less than 1% at 23 weeks after birth. An equation for estimating the concentration of HbF in young calves having both HbF and HbA was developed. Two new-born calves were exchange-transfused with haemoglobin type AB adult blood containing only HbA and haemoglobin B (HbB). Complete blood exchange was effected and verified by observing only HbA and HbB in the calves given the transfusions. The HbF concentration increased rapidly in the calves at 10 to 12 days after the exchange transfusion.