Haemoglobin types, blood parameters and erythrocyte glutathione in the New Zealand Romney and other breeds

Authors: Millar KR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 28, Issue 12, pp 251-252, 261-262, Dec 1980
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Biochemistry/chemistry, Biosecurity, Circulatory system/haematology, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Disease surveillance, Selenium, Trace elements, Species description
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: From a study of approximately 1000 New Zealand Romney ewes from different areas of New Zealand it was found that the mean packed cell volume of sheep of haemoglobin type B (Hb B) was significantly lower than for haemoglobin type A (Hb A) sheep. The mean Hb A gene frequency was 0.60. The concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the erythrocytes of these Romneys followed a normal distribution, the mean being 67.1 ± 12.4 mg GSH per 100 ml erythrocytes. The concentration of GSH in selenium deficient sheep was significantly higher than for selenium adequate sheep. The concentrations of the selenium-containing enzyme, glutathione peroxidase in the erythrocytes and of copper in the plasma of Hb B sheep were significantly higher than for Hb A sheep. When different breeds of sheep on Mana Island were compared, the Finnish Landrace had significantly less ferroxidase in their plasma than did other breeds.

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