Anaplasma marginale: Hemoglobin patterns in experimentally infected young calves

Abstract

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) patterns were studied in two groups of five young calves during experimentally produced anemias. In one group anemia was induced by experimental neonatal infection with Anaplasma marginale. Anemia was produ ced in the second group at 4 weeks of age by daily bleeding until hematocrits had fallen approximately 50%. Statistical interpretation of three factor interactions (treatment periods, hemoglobin types, and days) demonstrated the change in HbA during the infectious anemia to be significantly greater than the change in HbF during the same period. No differences between the change in the two hemoglobins were observed during the hemorrhagic anemia. The interpretation of these findings in relation to possible HbF's protective role against hemotropic infections is discussed.