Studies on the mechanism of sickling of deer erythrocytes

Abstract

Observations on sickled deer erythrocytes made with the electron microscope confirm conclusions obtained by other means that these cells are very similar, if not identical, to human sickled erythrocytes. Although the experiments reported here may not be conclusive, observations made on sections of erythrocytes during the process of sickling suggest that sickling results from the formation of hemoglobin tactoids under the appropriate conditions. Except for well-documented differences in the factors that induce sickling in deer as contrasted to human erythrocytes, there are many similarities in the sickling phenomenon in these two species. It is likely that the deer might serve as a suitable experimental animal in which to study certain aspects of the human syndrome.