The effects of infection with Haemonchus contortus on the sodium and potassium concentrations in the erythrocytes and plasma, in sheep of different haemoglobin types

Abstract

The anaemia produced by Haemonchus contortus was characterized by a marked reduction in haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume, accompanied by a marked rise in the concentration of potassium in the erythrocytes [Ke⁺] and a fall in the concentration of sodium [Nae⁺]; total [Ke⁺ + Nae⁺] remained steady.

Infection was associated with reduced food intake and a lowered concentration of plasma protein, but plasma potassium and sodium remained constant.

During the first 10 weeks of the experiment both the infected and the control sheep developed an anaemia of unknown aetiology, characterized by raised [Ke⁺], [Nae⁺], and [Ke⁺ + Nae⁺] values, and plasma protein concentrations.

The evidence presented seems to suggest that sheep of haemoglobin type A may harbour fewer worms than sheep with haemoglobin type AB following infection with H. contortus.