甘肃鼢鼠血象及其与低氧适应的关系

甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)是一种严格营地下生活的鼠类,其形态、行为及生理特征均与地面鼠不同。为探讨甘肃鼢鼠适应低氧环境的机理,本研究采用血象指标测定方法,对甘肃鼢鼠低氧适应前后的红细胞数、血红蛋白浓度、红细胞压积等各血象指标进行测定。结果显示,甘肃鼢鼠低氧适应后红细胞数、血红蛋白浓度和红细胞压积均显著升高,而平均红细胞体积、平均红细胞血红蛋白及平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度明显下降。与地面生活的啮齿动物低氧适应后血象相比,甘肃鼢鼠红细胞数量多,红细胞压积大,血红蛋白浓度高,红细胞膜表面积大,血红蛋白的利用率较高,可能是对低氧环境适应的一种途径。     

Generation of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mouse mutants with deviations in hematological parameters

Research on hematological disorders relies on suitable animal models. We retrospectively evaluated the use of the hematological parameters hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), and platelet count (PLT) in the phenotype-driven Munich N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mouse mutagenesis project as parameters for the generation of novel animal models for human diseases. The analysis was carried out on more than 16,000 G1 and G3 offspring of chemically mutagenized inbred C3H mice to detect dominant and recessive mutations leading to deviations in the levels of the chosen parameters. Identification of animals exhibiting altered values and transmission of the phenotypic deviations to the subsequent generations led to the successful establishment of mutant lines for the parameters MCV, RBC, and PLT. Analysis of the causative mutation was started in selected lines, thereby revealing a novel mutation in the transferrin receptor gene (Tfrc) in one line. Thus, novel phenotype-driven mouse models were established to analyze the genetic components of hematological disorders.     

Hematological responses to thermal acclimation in a cold water squaliform (Heterodontus francisci girard)

Summary The hematological modifications occurring as a result of acclimation to increased temperature in the cold water horn shark,Heterodontus francisci, were evaluated. Sharks were maintained under constant conditions except for temperature (15°C and 25°C) in a closed marine system. The total red blood cell (RBC) number decreased in the 25°C sharks. In contrast, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) significantly increased at 25°C compared to the control animals. RBC size was increased at 25°C, but the surface area/mm³ whole blood was reduced. Folic acid levels were not different between the groups. Vitamin B₁₂ levels decreased and testosterone increased at 25°C. Blood pH, number of erythroblasts, number of white blood cells (WBC) and WBC differential analyses were essentially unchanged at the two temperatures, except that the relative neutrophil number was increased. The major hematological changes occur in the erythrocytes and appear to be sequential in nature with an initial loss of RBC followed by increased hemoglobin synthesis and increased RBC size, but lack of recovery of RBC numbers.Abbreviations Hb hemoglobin - Hct hematocrit - MCH(C) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (concentration) - MCV mean corpuscular volume - RBC red blood cells - WBC white blood cells Contribution Number 359, Department of Biology     

猪2、7和8号染色体上影响血常规指标的数量性状基因座(QTL)检测

以3个品种（长白猪、大白猪、松辽黑猪）16个公猪家系共计368头仔猪组成资源群体,在猪2、7和8号染色体上共选取35个微卫星标记,采用基于线性混合模型的方差组分分析方法,对影响与猪白细胞、红细胞和血小板相关的共计18项血常规指标的数量性状基因座（quantitative trait loci,QTL）进行了检测．通过似然比检验,并以自由度为2的卡方分布作为检验统计量的分布,共发现22个在P〈5％水平下显著的QTL,其中在2号染色体上有9个,分别影响白细胞总数、中性粒细胞数、平均红细胞体积、血红蛋白含量、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、血小板总数、平均血小板体积、血小板分布宽度和血小板压积,在7号染色体有7个,分别影响白细胞总数、中性粒细胞数、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、血红蛋白含量、血小板总数、平均红细胞体积和红细胞分布宽度变异,在8号染色体上有6个,分别影响中性粒细胞百分比、淋巴细胞百分比、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、血小板总数、血小板压积和平均红细胞体积．为尽可能地避免由于多重检验所造成的假阳性率的升高,我们采用了控制假检出率（false discovery rate,FDR）的方法来对这22个QTL进行进一步检验,发现有14个达到FDR〈5％显著水平,其中又有9个达到FDR〈1％显著水平．     

GF昆明小鼠主要重量系数及血液生理指标的测定

目的测定无菌KM小鼠体重、体长、尾长、脏器系数、血常规值。方法选取8只全雄无菌KM小鼠,8只SPF级测量体重、体长、尾长;检测红细胞总数(RBC),血红蛋白(HGB),红细胞压积(HCT),平均红细胞体积(MCV),血小板总数(PLT),白细胞总数(WBC),白细胞分类(DLC),平均血红蛋白含量(MCH),平均血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)等血液生理指标;解剖采集小鼠心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺、肾、睾丸、盲肠,称重,计算脏器系数(脏器系数=脏器湿重/体重×100)。结果体长、尾长、心脏、脾脏、肺、肾脏、脑、睾丸、及血液生理指标等项目差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),体重、肝脏、盲肠项目差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论所测数值为研究者提供基础数据,建立国内无菌KM小鼠背景资料。     

Cadmium induced MTs synthesis via oxidative stress in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Lignan complex has been isolated from flaxseed. It has been shown to reduce serum lipids and the extent of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. However, it is not known whether the chronic use of lignan complex has any adverse effects on the hemopoietic system. The effects of lignan complex (40 mg/kg body wt orally daily for 2 months) on the red blood cells (RBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and counts of white blood cell (WBC), granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelet, and platelet volume were investigated in normo- and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The results show that lignan complex had no adverse effects of counts of RBC, WBC, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelet in both the normo- and hyper-cholesterolemic rabbits. The values for MCV, RDW, Hct, Hb, MCH, MCHC, and platelet volume were similar in lignan complex-treated or untreated normo- and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. It is concluded that chronic use of lignan complex had no adverse effects on the hemopoietic system. (Mol Cell Biochem 270: 139–145, 2005)     

The effects of L-carnitine on some hematological parameters in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet

We evaluated the effects of L-carnitine on the hematological characteristics of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Healthy male Wistar Albino rats were assigned to four equal groups. During the 40 day experiment, group 1 was fed standard rat pellets, group 2 was fed standard rat pellets containing 7.5 % cholesterol powder, group 3 was fed standard rat pellets and water that contained 75 mg/l L-carnitine, and group 4 was fed standard rat pellets that contained 7.5% cholesterol and water that contained 75 mg/l L-carnitine. Blood samples were analyzed for red (RBC) and white (WBC) blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) using an automated cell counter. The RBC count in the group that received the 7.5% cholesterol diet was decreased significantly compared to the other groups. The hematocrit of the cholesterol group was lower than for the L-carnitine + cholesterol and L-carnitine groups. The MCV in the cholesterol group was significantly higher than the control group. The MCH in the cholesterol group was higher than for the other groups. There was no significant difference among the groups with regard to hemoglobin, MCHC, WBCs and leukocyte types. L-carnitine appears to have beneficial effects on erythrocyte stability, erythropoiesis and hyperlipidemia.     

Genome-wide association study of porcine hematological parameters in a Large White × Minzhu F2 resource population

Hematological traits, which are important indicators of immune function in animals, have been commonly examined as biomarkers of disease and disease severity in humans and animals. Genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) provide important information for use in breeding programs of animals such as pigs. QTLs for hematological parameters (hematological traits) have been detected in pig chromosomes, although these are often mapped by linkage analysis to large intervals making identification of the underlying mutation problematic. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the common form of genetic variation among individuals and are thought to account for the majority of inherited traits. In this study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to detect regions of association with hematological traits in a three-generation resource population produced by intercrossing Large White boars and Minzhu sows during the period from 2007 to 2011. Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip technology was used to genotype each animal and seven hematological parameters were measured (hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell count (RBC) and red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW)). Data were analyzed in a three step Genome-wide Rapid Association using the Mixed Model and Regression-Genomic Control (GRAMMAR-GC) method. A total of 62 genome-wide significant and three chromosome-wide significant SNPs associated with hematological parameters were detected in this GWAS. Seven and five SNPs were associated with HCT and HGB, respectively. These SNPs were all located within the region of 34.6-36.5 Mb on SSC7. Four SNPs within the region of 43.7-47.0 Mb and fifty-five SNPs within the region of 42.2-73.8 Mb on SSC8 showed significant association with MCH and MCV, respectively. At chromosome-wide significant level, one SNP at 29.2 Mb on SSC1 and two SNPs within the region of 26.0-26.2 Mb were found to be significantly associated with RBC and RDW, respectively. Many of the SNPs were located within previously reported QTL regions and appeared to narrow down the regions compared with previously described QTL intervals. In current research, a total of seven significant SNPs were found within six candidate genes SCUBE3, KDR, TDO, IGFBP7, ADAMTS3 and AFP. In addition, the KIT gene, which has been previously reported to relate to hematological parameters, was located within the region significantly associated with MCH and MCV and could be a candidate gene. These results of this study may lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hematological parameters in pigs.     

Age and gender related changes in hematological parameters of thoroughbred foals

Abstract

Hematological and biochemical profiles commonly are required in equine medicine. We studied hematological parameters including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (PCV), differential leukocyte counts, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in thoroughbred foals at different ages and for both sexes. Sixty healthy thoroughbred foals, 1 day, 3 days and 1 year old were used. Each age group consisted of 10 male and 10 female animals. We found significant differences related to age in RBC values of females, PCV, MCV values of males, WBC, neutrophil percentages, lymphocyte percentages, monocyte percentages of females, and eosinophil percentages and basophil percentages. Significant differences related to gender were found only with regard to PCV at 1 year and WBC at 1 day. The hematological parameters of thoroughbred foals up to one year old may be useful for evaluating and monitoring the health of these animals.     

Effect of irradiation and/or leucocyte filtration on RBC storage lesions

Red blood cell (RBC) storage lesions have been shown to be associated with some adverse reactions; numerous studies have focused on the lesions caused by storage, and few data on the RBC storage lesions caused by prestorage treatments of leucocyte filtration and irradiation. In this study, we examined the changes related with the RBC storage lesions, including 2,3-diphosphatidylglyceric acid (2,3-DPG), pH, free hemoglobin (Hb), supernatant free K+ and Na+ concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Along with the increasing storage time, decreases in 2, 3-DPG levels, pH and Na+ concentration, increases in K+ and free Hb concentrations, and significant morphological changes in RBC in all groups were found. The changes in the groups of irradiation, leucocyte filtration and the combined irradiation and leucocyte filtration were more significant than those in the untreated group. Meanwhile, the MCV levels of the three treated groups were significantly lower than those in the untreated group, while the MCH variations were significantly higher. Our results suggest that irradiation and leucocyte filtration before storage may aggravate blood storage lesions.     

Development of hematological respiratory variables in late chicken embryos: the relative importance of incubation time and embryo mass

Oxygen demand increases during embryonic development, requiring an increase in red blood cells (RBCs) containing hemoglobin (Hb) to transport O(2) between the respiratory organ and systemic tissues. A thorough ontogenetic understanding of the onset and maturation of the complex regulatory processes for RBC concentration ([RBC]), Hb concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular indices (mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration ([MCHb])) is currently lacking. We hypothesize that during the last half of incubation when the respiratory organ (the chorioallantoic membrane) envelops most of the egg contents, mean corpuscular indices will stabilize. Accordingly, Hct, [RBC] and [Hb] must also all change proportionally across development. Further, we hypothesize that the hematological respiratory variables develop and mature as a function of incubation duration, independently of embryonic growth. As predicted, a similar increase in Hct (from 18.7±0.6% on day 10 (d10) to 34.1±0.5% on d19 of incubation), [RBC] (1.13±0.03×10(6)/μL to 2.50±0.03×10(6)/μL) and [Hb] (6.1±0.2 g% to 11.2±0.1 g%) occurred during d10-19. Both [RBC] and [Hb] demonstrated high linear correlation with Hct, resulting in constant [MCHb] (~33 g% from d10 to d19). The decrease in MCV (from ~165 μ(3) on d10 to ~140 μ(3) on d13) and MCH (~55 pg to ~45 pg) during d10-13, may be attributed to a changeover from larger primary to smaller secondary and adult-type erythrocytes with MCV and MCH remaining constant (~140 μ(3) and ~45 pg respectively) for the rest of the incubation period (d13-19). Hematological respiratory values on a given incubation day were identical between embryos of different masses using either natural mass variation or experimental growth acceleration, indicating that the hematological variables develop as a function of incubation time, irrespective of embryo growth.     

Mature hematology in neonatal walruses supports diving alongside their mothers

An animal's physiology limits the environmental conditions where it can persist; quantifying the physiology of the walrus is timely since they are being impacted by alterations in sea ice. We examined postnatal changes in hematology, an important attribute that supports diving, by analyzing a longitudinal data set from aquaria walruses (five males and nine females) sampled from 0.04 to 12.0 years of age (n = 795 samples). Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCHC) did not change markedly after birth and appears to have not been influenced by sex. Estimated values at birth were RBC: 3.78 ± 0.12 × 10⁶ mm⁻³, Hb: 17.62 ± 0.82 g dl⁻¹, Hct: 45.21 ± 2.01%, MCV: 118.99 ± 3.99 fl, MCH: 47.10 ± 1.77 pg, and MCHC: 39.60 ± 0.70 g dl⁻¹. Compared to newborns, there were only subtle decreases in RBC, Hb, and MCHC, and a slight increase in MCV in the years following birth; Hct and MCH appear not to have changed. Unlike other pinnipeds, walruses swim within days of birth and have a prolonged 2-year nursing interval. Mature hematology early in life supports breath-holding, as young walruses must transit under sea ice with patchily distributed breathing holes.     

Blood viscosity in phocid seals: possible adaptations to diving

1. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of phocid seal red blood cells (RBC) are elevated compared to those of most terrestrial mammalian species. The influence of these characteristics on blood flow was revealed by viscosity (VIS) measurements. 2. RBC morphology and VIS of whole blood from 7 harbor seals and 5 northern elephant seals were compared with blood of the domestic pig. Samples were analysed for RBC count, white blood cell (WBC) count, total plasma proteins, hematocrit (HCT), MCV and MCHC. Viscosity measurements were made at shear rates from 11.5 to 230.4 s-1 on a Wells-Brookfield cone-plate viscometer at 37 degrees C. 3. Mean values for HCT (%), MCV (micron 3) and MCHC (%) were, respectively: elephant seal: 57, 176, 44; harbour seal: 53, 105, 38; domestic pig: 28, 54, 34. Pig blood was reconstituted to match seal blood HCTs. VIS determinations showed that seal and pig blood conform to the general mammalian dependence of VIS upon shear rate and HCT. 4. Seal blood VIS was 28% (harbour seal) and 16% (elephant seal) less than pig blood VIS at low shear (P less than 0.05). Seal blood carried more hemoglobin per unit volume than did pig blood reconstituted to the same HCT. Fewer, larger RBC with higher MCHC, and hence elevated oxygen storage, accompanied by reduced VIS and reduced flow resistance near stasis suggests that this feature of phocid seal blood is an adaptation to circulatory redistribution during long dives.     

Toxicity bioassay in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 20 kHz triangular magnetic field for 90 days

Sprague-Dawley rats (10 each of male and female per group for sham and magnetic field exposed) were exposed in a carrousel irradiator to 20 kHz intermediate frequency (IF) magnetic field at 6.25 microT rms for 8 h/day, 5 days/week for 90 days. Urine analysis (pH, serum glucose, protein, ketone bodies, RBC, WBC, bilirubin, urobilinogen, and specific gravity), blood analysis [WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), thrombocyte count, and leucocyte count], blood biochemistry (total protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase), and histopathological analysis for organs such as liver, kidney, testis, ovary, spleen, brain, heart, and lung were performed on day 90. Results showed no significant differences in the above analyses between IF magnetic field exposed and sham control rats. Therefore, we conclude that there were no significant toxicities in rats exposed to 20 kHz IF triangular magnetic field-exposure for 90 days.     

Haematological studies on the prewintering and wintering frog, Rana esculenta

1. A study of the haematology of the frog Rana esculenta including erythrocyte count (RBC), haemoglobin content (Hb), haematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and erythrocyte size as a function of prewinter and winter was made. 2. The RBC count and Hb were significantly higher in contrast to MCV and MCH values during prewinter in both sexes. 3. The surface area to volume ratio was higher in prewinter whereas the length to width ratio (eccentricity) of the cytosome and nucleus was significantly higher during winter in both sexes. 4. Sexual differences in the erythrocyte count, Hb content and the surface area to volume ratio were also observed. 5. The physiological significance of these observations are reported for Rana esculenta.     

Disturbances of morphological parameters in blood of rats orally exposed to aluminum chloride

The aim of this work was to assess changes of morphological parameters in the blood of rats after oral (po) administration of aluminum (Al), in relation to the time and the administered dose. The experiment was performed on female Wistar rats. The animals were administered aluminum chloride (100 mg Al/kg) daily for 21 d. Morphological assays: red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), iron serum concentration (Fe), MCH, MCHC, absolute corrected reticulocyte count (ACRC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelet count (PLT) were estimated on d 3, 7, 14, and 21, both in the control group and in intoxicated rats. After wk 1 of aluminum administration we observed a decrease of RBC, HCT, HGB and serum iron concentration in the blood of rats. The increase of the platelet count was observed earlier than changes in other parameters. Investigation has proved that the exposure of rats to aluminum administered orally results in normocytic anemia.     

雌雄金黄地鼠血液生理生化指标的比较分析

目的测定金黄地鼠的血液生理生化参考值,并对两性的参考值进行比较。方法将88只4周龄金黄地鼠,80只8周龄金黄地鼠,采血后,用日本光电MEK-7222K血球分析仪测定血液生理指标,用Olympus AU400全自动生化分析仪测定血清生化指标。结果4周龄金黄地鼠血液生理指标中RBC、HGB、HCT、MCV和RDW性别差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,而WBC、MCH、MCHC、PLT、PCT、MPV和PDW等性别差异无显著性（P〉0.05）;4周龄金黄地鼠血清生化指标中ALB、ALP、GLU、CA、P、CHO和TG性别差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,而ALT、AST、TP、BUN和CREA等性别差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。8周龄金黄地鼠血液生理指标中WBC、LYM、MON、BAS、LYM％、NEUT％、MCH、RBC、HGB、HCT、MCV、PDW和RDW性别差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,而MCHC、PLT、MPV、PCT、NEUT、EOS、BAS、MON％和EOS％等性别差异无显著性（P〉0.05）;8周金黄地鼠血清生化指标中ALT、ALB、BUN、GLU、CREA、P、CHO和TG性别差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,而AST、TP、ALP和CA等性别差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。结论金黄地鼠血液的生理生化值受多种因素影响,部分指标两性问测定值有差异,但多数指标差异不显著。     

Effect of chronic administration of vitamin E on the hemopoietic system in hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia induces oxidative stress, which is known to have adverse effects on the integrity of cells. Hence, hypercholesterolemia may have adverse effects on the hemopoietic system. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, is being used by normo- and hypercholesterolemic subjects. It is, however, not known if vitamin E has any beneficial or adverse effects on the hemopoietic system. The objectives of this study are to determine if (i) hypercholesterolemia has any adverse effects on the hemopoietic system [red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration (MCHC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet counts, and mean platelet volume (MPV)], and (ii) vitamin E has any effect on the hemopoietic system in hypercholesterolemia. Blood samples were collected before and at various intervals during a high cholesterol diet (0.25% cholesterol) for 2 and 4 months, and while on high cholesterol diet with vitamin E (2 months) following a high cholesterol diet (2 months). Serum cholesterol was measured on an automated Clinical System Analyzer and hemopoietic parameters were measured on an automated Cell-dyn-4000. The results show that hypercholesterolemia decreased RBC count, Hct and Hb, increased MCV, RDW, MCH, and MCHC, and had no effect on WBC and platelet counts, and MPV. Vitamin E did not affect any of the parameters of the hemopoietic system. In conclusion, hypercholesterolemia of short duration has adverse effects on certain elements of the hemopoietic system. Vitamin E does not affect the hemopoietic system during hypercholesterolemia.     

Quantitative trait loci for porcine baseline erythroid traits at three growth ages in a White Duroc × Erhualian F<Subscript>2</Subscript> resource population

Baseline erythroid indices are increasingly involved as risk factors for common complex diseases in humans. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of baseline erythroid traits in pigs. In this study, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hgb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red blood cell (RBC), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were measured in 1420 (day 18), 1410 (day 46), and 1033 (day 240) F(2) pigs from a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross resource population. The entire resource population was genotyped for 183 microsatellite loci across the pig genome, and the quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed for all erythroid-related traits measured with QTL Express based on a least-squares method. A total of 101 QTL, including 46 genome-wide significant QTL and 55 chromosome-wide significant QTL, regulating erythroid traits were found on all pig chromosomes (SSC) except for SSC15 and SSC18. The genome-wide significant QTL were mainly localized on SSC1, 7, 8, 10, and X. These results confirmed most of QTL previously identified in the swine. More importantly, this study detected age-specific QTL for baseline erythroid traits in pigs for the first time. Notably, the QTL for MCV and MCH on day 18 on SSC8 with small intervals of 3 and 4 cM, respectively, provided a good starting point for identifying causal genes underlying MCV and MCH in the future.     

Seasonal changes in the haematological indices in peripheral blood of chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger L.)

Changes in nine haematological indices in adult female and male chinchilla were investigated over a period of 18 months. All haematological values were in the same range both for females and males, although seasonal fluctuations were more evident in the females. High levels of the red blood cells count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) during the winter months and low levels of these parameters during the summer months were found. The white blood cells count (WBC) and lymphocyte number (L) also decreased in summer, their values increasing during autumn and spring. The haematocrit values (Ht) and mean cell volumes (MCV) are high during the summer and low during the winter.