Higher Mean Packed Cell Volume Research Articles

Delayed cord clamping in Rh-alloimmunised infants: a randomised controlled trial.

Despite advancement in medical care, Rh alloimmunisation remains a major cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, neuro-morbidity, and late-onset anaemia. Delayed cord clamping (DCC), a standard care now-a-days, is yet not performed in Rh-alloimmunised infants due to paucity of evidence. Hence, we randomised these infants of 28- to 41-week gestation to delayed cord clamping (N = 36) or early cord clamping (N = 34) groups. The primary outcome variable was venous packed cell volume (PCV) at 2h of birth. The secondary outcomes were incidence of double volume exchange transfusion (DVET) and partial exchange transfusion (PET), duration of phototherapy (PT), functional echocardiography (parameters measured: superior vena cava flow, M-mode fractional shortening, left ventricular output, myocardial perfusion index, and inferior vena cava collapsibility) during hospital stay, and blood transfusion (BT) until 14weeks of life. Neonates were managed as per unit protocol. The baseline characteristics of enrolled infants were comparable between the groups. The median (IQR) gestation and mean (SD) birth weight of enrolled infants were 35 (33-37) weeks and 2440 (542) g, respectively. The DCC group had a higher mean PCV at 2h of life (48.4 ± 9.2 vs. 43.5 ± 8.7, mean difference 4.9% (95% CI 0.6-9.1), p = 0.03). However, incidence of DVET and PET, duration of PT, echocardiography parameters, and BT until 14weeks of postnatal age were similar between the groups.Conclusion: DCC in Rh-alloimmunised infants improved PCV at 2h of age without significant adverse effects.Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI), Ref/2016/11/012572 http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials, date of trial registration 19.12.2016, date of first patient enrolment 1 January 2017.What is Known:•Delayed cord clamping improves haematocrit, results in better haemodynamic stability, and decreases the need of transfusion in early infancy.•However,due to lack of evidence,potential risk of hyperbilirubinaemia, andexacerbation of anaemia(following delayed cord clamping), early cord clamping is the usual norm in Rh-alloimmunised infantsinfants.What is New:•Delayed cord clamping in Rh-alloimmunised infants improves haematocrit at 2h of life without any increase in incidence of serious adverse effects.

Comparing the phenotypic susceptibility of Pelibuey and Katahdin female lambs against natural gastrointestinal nematode infections under hot humid tropical conditions.

This study compared the phenotypic susceptibility of Pelibuey and Katahdin female lambs against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) under grazing conditions in the hot humid tropics of Mexico. The study was performed during the rainy season (August to October, 2014). It included 27 Pelibuey and 12 Katahdin female lambs from 6months of age and live weight of 21.0±3.7 and 23.3±3.6kg, respectively. Lambs were reared free of GIN infection before the study. The study lasted 91days. Animals were weighed and sampled (blood and feces) on days 0 and 28 and every 7days onwards. Fecal samples were obtained to determine fecal eggs of GIN per gram (EPG), and blood samples were used to determine the packed cell volume (PCV), the peripheral eosinophil counts (PECs), and optical densities (ODs) for IgA. The EPG counts were significantly lower for Pelibuey lambs compared to Katahdin throughout the study (P<0.001). Similarly, Pelibuey lambs had higher mean PCV (P<0.01) and PEC (P<0.05) than Katahdin lambs during the study. The total weight gain and OD for IgA were similar between breeds (P>0.05). Negative associations (P<0.05) between EPG and PCV or PEC were moderate to strong for the lambs of both breeds. No association was found between EPG and IgA. In conclusion, Pelibuey lambs showed phenotypic evidence of higher resistance to natural GIN infections compared to Katahdin lambs sharing the same grazing conditions in the hot humid tropics. The most accurate phenotypic markers to identify a difference in susceptibility were EPG and PEC.

Ring-Tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) Health Parameters across Two Habitats with Varied Levels of Human Disturbance at the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar

The health of 36 wild, free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve was assessed across 2 habitats of varied human impact: a reserve riverine gallery forest, and a degraded mixed dry deciduous and Alluaudia-dominated spiny forest. While there were no statistically significant differences in leukocyte count or differential between habitats, female lemurs in the reserve gallery forest had significantly higher percentages of monocytes and eosinophils than male lemurs in the gallery forest. Lemurs from the degraded spiny habitat had significantly higher mean packed cell volume, hematocrit, hemoglobin, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, chloride, ionized calcium and urine specific gravity than lemurs from the reserve gallery forest. These findings may reflect lower hydration levels in lemurs living in degraded habitat, providing evidence that environmental degradation has identifiable impacts on the physiology and health of wild, free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs living in nearby habitats. Given the greater evidence of human impact in the mixed dry deciduous/spiny forest habitat, a pattern seen throughout southern Madagascar, biomedical markers suggestive of decreased hydration can provide empirical data to inform new conservation policies facilitating the long-term survival of this lemur community.

Effect of Locally Produced Blood Meal on Growth Performance and Packed Cell Volume of Broiler Chicks

This research evaluated the effect of locally produced blood meal on growth performance of broiler chicks. Three experimental diets were formulated; diet one served as control without blood meal, diet 2 contained 100g of blood meal mixed in 500g of chick mash while diet 3 contained 300g of blood meal mixed with 500g of chick mash. Forty-five broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the three treatments having five birds per cage. Each treatment was replicated three times. The experimental diets and portable water were supplied ad libitium throughout the experimental period for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, birds fed diet 2 (100g blood meal and 500g chick mash) gained more weight having mean weight gain of 3.04g than birds fed with diet 3 (300g of blood meal mixed with 500g of chick mash) having mean weight gain of 2.95g and birds fed with diet 1 (control, no blood meal). Also there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the packed cell volume of birds feed with diet 2 and those fed with diet 1 and 3. The result of the research indicated that diet 2 enhances growth and boosts the PCV in broiler chicks. Broilers fed with diet two had the highest mean packed cell volume of 41.40%, followed by those fed with diet 3 which had 40.20% while those fed with diet 1 had 37%.

Pathogenic Haemoparasites and Antibody to Newcastle Disease Virus from Apparently Healthy Wild Birds in Zaria, Nigeria

A total of ninety-eight wild birds, comprising eleven different species were captured alive from Zaria environs. These birds were used for the study, to determine the possible role they play as reservoirs of blood parasites. Thin blood smears (TBS) were prepared from the blood samples collected from these wild birds. The slides were stained and viewed under the microscope for the identification of blood parasites. Values of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and total protein (TP) were also determined from the blood samples. Sera from the birds were used for the determination of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres to Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Haemoparasites, such as Plasmodium circumflexum, P. relictum, P. nouxi, Haemoproteus nisi, H. columbae, and Aegyptienella pullorum were identified from the blood of some of the wild birds. The highest mean HI antibody titre to Newcastle disease virus( NDV) (log 9.50 ± 0.1) and lowest mean HI antibody titre to 2 NDV (log 2.50 ± 1.7) were obtained from Senegal parrot (Poicephalus senegalus) and Northern red bishop 2 (Euplectes franciscanus), respectively. The highest mean PCV and Hb values of 49.00 ± 0.01% and 16.30 ± 0.1g%, respectively were obtained from Senegal parrot (Poicephalus senegalus), while the lowest mean PCV and Hb values of 36.50 ± 8.35% and 12.18 ± 2.77g%, respectively were recorded from African marsked weaver (Ploceus velatus). The highest mean TP value (7.00 ± 0.01g/dl) and lowest mean TP value (1.88 ± 0.54g/dl) were obtained from Laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) and Zebra waxbill (Sporaeginthus subflavus), respectively. It was concluded that wild birds could serve as reservoirs of haemoparasites and viral pathogens which could be potential dangers to domestic birds in Zaria, Nigeria.

Anemia in pregnancy at two levels of health care in Ibadan, south west Nigeria

In Africa, anemia in pregnancy contributes to non-attainment of the MDG goals 4 and 5. This study examined the prevalence and some risk factors for anemia at two levels of health care in the Ibadan metropolis. This was a retrospective study of the booking records of pregnant women at the University College Hospital (UCH, a profit-making tertiary institution) and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital (AMH, a secondary level institution offering free services) in Ibadan, September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Eligible women had singleton pregnancies and no known chronic illnesses. Anemia was defined as packed cell volume (PCV) < 30%, and degrees of anemia as mild (PCV 27-29%), moderate (PCV 19-26%), and severe (PCV below 19%). Statistical analysis was done by the Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and t-test. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Data from 2702 women (384 and 2318 from UCH and AMH, respectively) were available for analysis. About 30% of the women were anemic. The patients in UCH had higher mean PCV (33.03 ± 4.32 vs. 31. 04 ± 4.09, P = 0.00). A higher proportion of anemia was seen in patients presenting in Adeoyo (32.4% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.00). Factors associated with anemia included young age (P = 0.00), low parity (P = 0.00), and hospital type (P = 0.00). Parity and hospital type remained significant on logistic regression. Lower prevalence of anemia at the tertiary hospital maybe attributed to the higher socioeconomic status of the clientele. Short-term early antenatal management of anemia and long-term economic/educational empowerment is advocated.

Comparative studies on erythrocyte sialic acid levels in apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species

The erythrocyte surface sialic acid levels of 200 apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species (pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens, n = 50 for each species) presented for slaughter at a poultry abattoir in Zaria, Nigeria was determined. Other parameters determined were packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total protein (TP) concentration. The mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 7.88 +/- 2.51, 14.6 +/- 2.51, 17.6 +/- 2.51 and 14.2 +/- 2.51 mg mg(-1) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of all the species of poultry sampled (P < 0.05). The high erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration in the indigenous Nigerian poultry species could be responsible for their resistance to infectious diseases, whose aetiologic agents produce neuraminidases. The mean PCV of the pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 46.22 +/- 6.91, 38.24 +/- 6.91, 36.50 +/- 6.91 and 36.46 +/- 6.91% respectively. The difference between the mean PCV values of pigeons on the one hand and guinea fowls, ducks and chickens on the other was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A negative correlation (r = -0.36, P < 0.05) between mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentrations and PCV was observed, i.e. the birds with the highest mean PCV values had the lowest levels of erythrocyte surface sialic acid. There was no correlation between TP concentration and either erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration or PCV values. It is suggested, based on this study, that erythrocyte sialic acid types in these species should be determined, as the results may be vital in selective breeding.

Effect of venipuncture site and anticoagulant on selected hematologic values in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).

Paired blood samples were collected from the ear and radial vein of four captive healthy adult black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis). Samples were collected using heparin or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant. Packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein (TP) values were compared between samples drawn from the two venipuncture sites and treated with the two anticoagulants to determine whether statistically significant variation occurred. No significant difference in the grouped values was observed when venipuncture sites (ear and radial vein) were compared using the same anticoagulant (heparin). However, when comparing different anticoagulants (EDTA and heparin) used to collect blood from the radial vein, the grouped-heparinized samples had higher mean PCV and TP values than did the EDTA-treated samples. These differences may be important when performing serial sampling in a sick rhinoceros and suggest that the choice of anticoagulant should be consistent, although selection of venipuncture site may be less important when monitoring selected hematologic values in black rhinoceroses.

Abomasal bloat, haemorrhage and ulcers in young Norwegian lambs

An abomasal syndrome affecting mainly three- to four-week-old lambs was studied by using a case-control design involving 88 cases and 85 controls. The principal clinical signs were tympany and colic....

Dynamics of red and white blood picture in dairy cows during the periparturient period

In veterinary medicine, haematological examinations present an effective tool in monitoring the health and nutritional status of animals. We investigated the haemogram during the periparturient period in Black and White dairy cows. Blood samples were taken from 60 cows 10 days before parturition, at parturition and on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 after parturition. Statistical results revealed that the values of the haemogram taken at the time of parturition were the most pronounced. The most significant erythrocyte parameter values were obtained from samples taken on the day of parturition. Mean erythrocyte (RBC) count was 6.70±0.65× 1012/l, which was significantly higher (p=0.014) compared to the mean RBC counts in the samples taken 4 days after parturition (6.30±0.64×1012/l) and 10 days before parturition (6.46±0.60×1012/l). Significantly (p<0.0001) the highest mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were found in the samples taken on the day of parturition (121.77±9.03 g/l), they then gradually decreased and 4 days after parturition reached the lowest mean Hb concentration of 113.68±8.62 g/l. The highest mean packed cell volume (PCV) value (0.38±0.04 l/l) was also recorded in cows at parturition. It was significantly (p=0.0007) higher compared to the mean values obtained at sampling 3 and 4 days after parturition (0.36±0.03 l/l). The highest total leucocyte (WBC) count was recorded at parturition (9.25±3.53×109/l) which was significantly (p<0.001) higher than mean values obtained from day 3 after parturition. At parturition the highest mean absolute value of segmented neutrophils (5020±1304) was also recorded; it was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the values obtained from four samplings performed after parturition. At parturition the lowest mean absolute value of eosinophils (409±379) was recorded; it was significantly lower (p<0.001) in comparison to mean values obtained 10 days before parturition (704±336) and 1 day (611±458) and 2 days (585±386) postparturition. At parturition a statistically significant (p<0.001) lowest mean absolute value of lymphocytes (3409±1116) was found. However, the periparturient period did not significantly affect the basophil counts (p=0.5113), band neutrophils (p=0.7639), monocytes (p=0.0986) and the erythrocyte indices; mean cell volume (MCV) (p=0.5271), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (p=0.8910) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p=0.6317).

The effects of malaria chemoprophylaxis given by traditional birth attendants on the course and outcome of pregnancy

A trial of malaria chemoprophylaxis given by traditional birth attendants was undertaken in a rural area of The Gambia where access to antenatal clinics is difficult. Women received one or more doses of Maloprim ® or placebo from a traditional birth attendant during 1049 of 1208 pregnancies (87%) recorded in 16 villages over a 3-year period. Primigravidae who received Maloprim ® had a lower parasite rate and a significantly higher mean packed cell volume than primigravidae who received placebo, and their babies were significantly heavier (6% low birth weight vs 22%). In multigravidae chemoprophylaxis reduced malaria parasitaemia but it had no beneficial effect on haemoglobin level and much less effect on birth weight than was observed in primigravidae. However, the mean birth weight of babies bom to grandemultigravidae who received chemoprophylaxis was significantly higher than that of babies born to grandemultigravidae who did not.

Effects of dietary protein and stage of lactation on the haematology and erythrocyte enzymes activities of high-producing dairy cattle

Blood samples were collected monthly over a nine-month period from 19 high-producing Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Dry cows on the lowest (13 per cent) protein ration had the highest mean values for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cells (RBC). Among the lactating cows, the group on the 13 per cent protein diet had the highest mean PCV, Hb and RBC values. Other constituents were not affected significantly by dietary protein levels. Packed cell volume, RBC, Hb, serum iron (SI), iron binding capacity (IBC) and serum albumin concentrations decreased early in lactation and rose to pre-lactation levels by mid-lactation. PCV and Hb concentrations remained low for periods up to four months. RBC count was lowest in the second month while albumin concentration was lowest in the first month and remained low up to the second month. IBC was lowest in the first month of lactation while SI concentrations were lowest in the third month. There were no significant variations in the activities of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). The 13 per cent protein ration had no anaemia-inducing effect on the cows.

Relative Effect of Two Dietary Water-Soluble Analogues of Menaquinone on Coagulation and Packed Cell Volume of Blood of Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

Triplicate lots of fingerling lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) (initial mean weight, 5.3 g) were fed a basal, semipurified diet, or this basal diet supplemented with either 1.0 or 2.0 ppm of either menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) or menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (MPB) for 18 wk at 14 C. Neither form of vitamin K had a significant effect on the growth, food conversion, or body composition of the fish.Fish fed 1 ppm of MSB had a significantly higher mean packed cell volume (PCV) than those fed 2 ppm of either analogue. Trout fed 2 ppm of MPB had an intermediate PCV which was not significantly different from that of trout fed either 1 ppm MPB or 2 ppm MSB. A dietary level of 1 ppm MPB (providing an equivalent menaquinone concentration of about 0.5 mg/kg of diet) is sufficient to insure normal coagulation of lake trout blood and a satisfactory PCV.