Erythrocytes: Overview, Morphology, Quantity by AH Rebar Et
In: A Guide to Hematology in Dogs and Cats, Rebar A.H., MacWilliams P.S., Feldman B.F., Metzger F.L., Pollock R.V.H. and Roche J. (Eds.). Publisher: Teton NewMedia, Jackson WY (www.veterinarywire.com). Internet Publisher: International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY (www.ivis.org), 8-Feb-2005; A3304.0205 Erythrocytes: Overview, Morphology, Quantity A.H. Rebar1, P.S. MacWilliams2, B.F. Feldman 3, F.L. Metzger 4, R.V.H. Pollock 5 and J. Roche 6 1Dept of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, IN,USA. 2Dept of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, WI, USA. 3Dept of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, VA-MD - Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, VA, USA. 4Metzger Animal Hospital,State College,PA, USA. 5Fort Hill Company, Montchanin, DE, USA. 6 Hematology Systems, IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, ME, USA. Overview Production Red blood cells (RBC) are produced in the bone marrow. Numbers of circulating RBCs are affected by changes in plasma volume, rate of RBC destruction or loss, splenic contraction, erythropoietin (EPO) secretion, and the rate of bone marrow production. A normal PCV is maintained by an endocrine loop that involves generation and release of erythropoietin (EPO) from the kidney in response to renal hypoxia. Erythropoietin stimulates platelet production as well as red cell production. However, erythropoietin does not stimulate white blood cell (WBC) production. Erythropoiesis and RBC numbers are also affected by hormones from the adrenal cortex, thyroid, ovary, testis, and anterior pituitary. Destruction Red cells have a finite circulating lifespan. In dogs, the average normal red cell circulates approximately 100 days.
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