THE PRODUCTION OF HAEMOGLOBIN C IN ADULT SHEEP AND GOATS

Abstract

Summary The production of haemoglobin C (Hb‐C) was examined in three sheep and two goats which were kept anaemic by bleeding for 5–7 weeks. A fourth sheep was made acutely anaemic by bleeding severely for three days. In the chronically bled sheep the production of Hb‐C was variable and difficult to maintain unless the animals were made severely anaemic. In the goats the replacement of the β chain was almost complete with an anaemia which was equivalent to that produced in the sheep, and Hb‐C could be maintained for a considerable period. In the acutely bled sheep Hb‐C increased to a maximum by the 16th day. Reticulocytosis was not marked, but, in general, an increase occurred about 15 days before maximum Hb‐C production was evident. Erythropoietin activity was examined in four animals with variable results, but in the severely bled animal it was evident before the reticulocytes appeared. This activity did not appear to be related to the amount of Hb‐C which was produced. The elimination of Hb‐C from the circulation was very variable, but the rates of decrease in goats were slower than in sheep.