Haematological and biochemical findings in bovine post-parturient haemoglobinuria and the accompanying heinz-body anaemia

Authors: Woodhouse DA, Gardner DE, Martinovich D
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 24, Issue 6, pp 117-122, Jun 1976
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Circulatory system/haematology, Disease/defect, Biochemistry/chemistry, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Copper, Trace elements, Poisoning - chemical, Urinary system/urology
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Martinovich and Woodhouse (1971) repoxrted Heinz-body anaemia (HBA) as a consistent finding in Northland cattle with post-parturient haemoglobinuria (PPH). They suggested that PPH was referable to interference with mechanisms that protect haemolglobin from oxidative denaturation. The writers` observations and those of Smith (1973) and Smith and Coup (1973) indicated that in PPH-affected herds the prevalence elf Heinz-body anaemia was greater than the prevalence of clinical haemoglobinuria. Affected cattle also show decreased production, weight loss, diarrhoea, depressed oestrous activity and low blood copper values. In other unpublished studies of the anaemia of PPH, no alteration in erythrocyte osmotic fragility and no methaemoglobinaemia were found and hydroxylamine could not be demonstrated in the rumen contents of cattle in the haemoglobinuric phase of the disease. Further information on PPH was obtained between July 1972 and May 1973 when haematological and biolchemical changes were studied in serial blolod samples taken from 10 cows in an affected Northland herd. These changes were compared with the alterations occurring in the blood of 10 cows from an unaffected herd depastured a few kilometres away. The following determinations were made: haemoglobin, haematocrit, reticulocyte numbers, Heinz bodies, plasma protein, cholesterol, inorganic phosphate and copper. Results obtained are recorded in this report.

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