PATHOGENETIC FACTORS IN EXPERIMENTAL BOVINE OESOPHAGOSTOMOSIS .2. PLASMA IRON IRON-BINDING CAPACITY AND RETICULOCYTE RESPONSES IN BLED AND INFECTED CALVES

Worm-free calves were pairfed with calves infected experimentally with Oesophagostomum radiatum, and 200-500 ml of blood were removed daily to produce an anemia similar to that which developed in their infected partners. A third group of calves remained untreated. Plasma iron levels rose initially in both treated groups. Subsequent falls in plasma iron levels of some animals of both groups were indicative of depletion of iron stores. Total iron-building capacity fell below normal in both bled and parasitized calves, but later rose to levels greater than those of untreated calves. Reticulocyte numbers in jugular blood increased in both treated groups. Infected calves displayed lower serum protein levels and less efficient utilization of feed than the bled animals. The results indicate that the anemia of oesophagostomosis is due primarily to blood loss. © 1969.