Anemia of induced anaplasmosis in the calf

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Abstract
Hematologic studies of periodic peripheral blood samples were employed to determine the onset and to follow the progress of induced anaplasmosis anemia in 33 young dairy calves. Total blood, red cell production and destruction were studied with iron-59 and chromium-51 concurrently at periodic intervals before, during and following anemia development. A marked and progressive decrease in RBC volume and hemoglobin, and a significant increase in the ratio of total plasma to RBC were noted as the disease developed. Plasma iron disappearance (T1/2) increased and RBC iron turnover rate and utilization decreased markedly 3–10 days before peak marginal RBC bodies were evidenced. Results substantiate an initial suppression of the hematopoietic system and decreased iron utilization, reflecting the observed red cell and hemoglobin reductions as the disease progressed. Recovery, as evidenced by iron utilization, was rapid following disappearance of red cell marginal bodies from peripheral circulation, but red cell life span continued to decrease indicating production of short-lived cells. The progressive and variable nature of the anemia implied a more direct relationship to red cell production than to iron utilization.