Red Cell Life Span in Young and Adult Sheep

Abstract

SUMMARY Red cell life span was measured in young and adult sheep by means of serological (differential haemolysis) and radioactive tracer techniques.51 Cr eluted rapidly from sheep red cells and therefore could not be used to measure red cell life span in this animal. The average red cell potential life span for adult sheep was 146 ± 12.9 days (serological method) and about 137 days (59Fe method); for newborn lambs it was 75±14.8 days (serological method). Premature loss of red cells occurred in certain sheep so that average life span was less than potential life span. Average red cell life span for adult sheep ranged from 76 to 133 days (serological method) and from 70 to 153 days(59Fe method); for newborn lambs it ranged from 15 to 36 days (serological method). There was no obvious difference between the life spans of HK and LK type red cells of adult sheep.