Erythrocyte in animals, erythrocyte
Any of the oval or disc-shaped cells that circulate in the blood of vertebrate animals, contain hemoglobin,and give blood its red color. The hemoglobin in red blood cells binds to oxygen for transport and delivery to body tissues, and it transports carbon dioxide, excreted as a metabolic waste product, out of the tissues. The red blood cells of mammals have no nucleus, while those of other vertebrates do contain nuclei. Red blood cells are formed in the bone marrow called erythrocyte.
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Erythrocyte
How is a red blood cell adapted for its function
The shape of it is
biconcave (and like a flattened disc). This increases surface area over volume.It has no nucleus, so that
there is more space for more haemoglobin to be packed.It contains haemoglobin,
which is a molecule which binds reversibly to oxygen.It is flexible and
elastic - so that it can squeeze through the capillaries.Thin wall: for easy
diffusion of Oxygen and Carbon dioxide in and out of the cells.Thin cell: providing a
short distance for diffusion and increasing efficiency.
Erythrocyte in different animals
Dog: Cells
are large (7microns),uniform in size and have central pallor (biconcave disc).
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| dog Erythrocyte |
Cat: Cells average 6 microns in diameter ,
only very slight central pallor , slight anisocyte (variation in size of RBC) .
Up to 1 % of the cells may contain Howell-jolly bodies(nuclear remnants ) .
Howell-jolly bodies
Cow: Average diameter is 6 microns . Red
cells may appear flat disc with little or no central depression (no central
pallor) anisocytosis is common.
Sheep: Average diameter 4.5 microns ,flat disc ,with little central depression
Goat: Erythrocyte are the smallest 4 microns
and most variables in shape .Spindle,rod, or sphere-shape red cells may be
observed (normal pokilocytosis)
Camel: Erythrocytes
normal elliptical in shape and lake of cental depression .
camel erythrocyte
Horse: Erythrocyte
have rouleaux formation ,Average diameter 5.7 microns ,uniform in size no central
pallor .
rouleaux formation
Poultry: Mature
erythrocyte is oval cell with an oval central nucleus .
Avian erythrocyte
Life
Span
The life span of the erythrocyte varies from 70-160 days in
domestic species although the life span is often shorter in juvenile animals
(e.g. calves and lambs) compared to adult animals. Erythrocytes in small animals
have a shorter life span than in the larger domestic species
Life span (days)
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Cat
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Pig
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Dog
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Goat
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Horse
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Sheep
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Cattle
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70
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85
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120
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125
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145
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150
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160
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Transfused dog erythrocytes last
around 21 days