Siderocytosis associated with hypomagnesaemia in cattle

Authors: Young BJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 30, Issue 10, pp 164, Oct 1982
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Circulatory system/haematology, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Minerals/elememts, Metabolic disease, Disease/defect, Locomotor, Nervous system/neurology
Article class: Correspondence

---

Abstract: I wish to report the occurrence of siderocytosis (circulating erythrocytes containing free iron) in cattle with hypomagnesaemia. Since 1970 this laboratory has recorded an haematological disorder of cattle characterised by the presence of coarse basophilic granules in hypochromic, burr-shaped erythroctyes in Leishman-stained blood films. These granules have been shown to contain free iron by superimposing a Prussian blue reaction on the stained blood films. Haemoglobin values in affected cattle have varied from 6.5-12.5 g/dl. Many features of regeneration; namely polychromasia, punctate basophilic stippling and nucleated erythrocytes, were present in those cases with haemoglobin values below 9.0 g/dl. Nucleated erythrocytes were occasionally numerous (up to 10x10⁹/) and some contained siderotic granules. Approximately five siderocytes per 100 erythrocytes were seen in cases with haemoglobin values less than 8.0 g/dl; this prevalence decreased to approximately one per 1000 erythrocytes in cases with values above 11.0 g/dl. The haematological condition has been seen during all seasons of the year but was most marked in the spring…

---