Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T22:52:20.427Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Red cell electrolyte distribution and its possible significance in zebu cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

B. P. Sengupta
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, U.P. College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Mathura (India)

Summary

Two breeds of zebu viz. Hariana and Sahiwal were examined for the possible existence of red cell K+ polymorphism. All the animals examined appeared to be LK type. However, red cell K+ concentration varied rather widely between 7 and 50 m-equiv/1. Within the major LK type three distinct subtypes, tentatively designated as low low (LLK), medium low (MLK) and high low (HLK) were observed. The mean red cell K+ concentration in the various subtypes in the same order were 12·5, 19·5 and 38·0 m-equiv/1 respectively. LLK animals were significantly more frequent in the Sahiwal than in the Hariana breed. The possible genetic basis of the occurrence of these subtypes within the major LK type is discussed.

LLK animals had significantly higher pcv, Hb and RBC, than MLK animals. The WBC and plasma protein values were also higher, though not significantly, in the former group. In addition, animals of the LLK subtype showed consistently lower rectal temperature at comparable levels of respiratory effort under conditions of thermal stress than MLK animals.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bangham, A. D. & Blumberg, B. S. (1958). Distribution of electrophoretioally different haemoglobins among some cattle breeds of Europe and Africa. Nature 181, 1551–2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ellory, J. C. & Tucker, E. M. (1970). High potassium type red cells in cattle. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 74, 595–6.Google Scholar
Evans, J. V. (1954). Electrolyte concentrations in red blood cells of British breeds of sheep. Nature 174, 931–2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Evans, J. V. (1963). Adaptation to subtropical environments by zebu and British breeds of cattle in relation to erythrocyte characteristics. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 14, 559–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, J. V. & King, J. W. B. (1955). Genetic control of sodium and potassium concentrations in the red blood cells of sheep. Nature 176, 171.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Evans, J. V. & Phillipson, A. T. (1957). Electrolyte concentrations in the erythrocytes of the goat and ox. Journal of Physiology 139, 8796.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Evans, J. V. & Turner, H. G. (1965). Interrelationships of erythrocyte characters and other characters of British and zebu crossbred beef cattle. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 18, 124.Google Scholar
Howes, J. R., Davis, G. K., Loggins, P. K. & Hentges, J. F. (1961). Blood potassium and sodium of Hereford and Brahman cattle and some breeds of sheep maintained in Florida. Nature 190, 181–2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kidwell, J. F., Bohman, V. R., Wade, M. A., Haverland, L. H. & Hunter, J. E. (1959). Evidence of genetic control of blood potassium concentration in sheep. Journal of Heredity 50, 275–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
King, E. J. & Wootton, I. D. P. (1956). Microanalysis in Medical Biochemistry, 3rd edn.New York: Grune and Stratton.Google Scholar
Schalm, O. W. (1961). Veterinary Hematology. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.Google Scholar
Sengupta, B. P. (1974). Adaptive significance of red cell K+ types in buffaloes. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 82, 563–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turner, Helen N. & Koch, Judith H. (1961). Studies on sodium-potassium balance in erythrocytes of Australian Merino sheep. II. Observations on three Merino strains. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 14, 260–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar