IRON METABOLISM IN PIGEONS

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Abstract
Several hematological parameters such as Hb concentration, hematocrit, erythrocyte number, reticulocyte concentration, plasma Fe and total Fe binding capacity were determined in 118 urban pigeons of both sexes. No statistically significant sex differences among these parameters were found. In 36 specimens (23 males and 13 females), the plasma Fe turnover was determined using 59Fe. The results obtained in this species, expressed per 100 ml-1 blood .cntdot. day-1 and kg-1 body wt .cntdot. day-1, were compared with those of turkeys, ducks and chickens calculated from earlier papers. The highest values vs. body wt were observed in pigeons. Organ (liver, spleen, tibia, heart, leg muscle, ribs, sternal keel, gonads and blood) distribution of 59Fe i.v. injection was analyzed at times from 5 min up to 120 days (19 different times) in groups of 4 pigeons. At 6 h, the organs retained the highest dose (20% of total Fe injected), but by the 2nd day, the radioiron in the blood represented about 98% of the total injected. A fast Fe uptake by the circulatory blood was checked and compared with that of other species (domestic fowl, ducks and turkeys). The reticulocyte count in pigeons normally ranged from 4-12%, which was consistent with these results. A linear decreasing radioactivity in blood, with an inflexion point on the 40th day, was observed. An inverse correspondence between blood and liver Fe content was found. Content in other organs decreased uniformly with time, except the heart where the Fe content was practically constant during the whole time. Ribs and sternal keel are erythropoietic organs in young pigeons.

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