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The effects of splenectomy and autologous spleen transplantation on complete red blood cell count, platelet count and cell morphology in a porcine model

Authors :
Vujnović, Anja
Poljičak-Milas, Nina
Kardum, Matko
Vnuk, Dražen
Maltar-Strmečki, Nadica
Severin, Krešimir
Slavica, Alen
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of total splenectomy and autologous spleen transplantation in a porcine model on complete red blood cell count, platelet count, percentage of reticulocytes and red blood cell morphology. Nineteen pigs observed in the research were randomly divided into three groups. The first group underwent sham surgery, the second group was splenectomized and the third group, after being splenectomized, had 20 % of autologous spleen tissue transplanted into the greater omentum. Blood was sampled prior to surgery and on the 1st, 5th, 12th and 26th days after surgery. Erythrocyte count, indices and morphology, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count were assayed. Erythrocyte count was significantly decreased postoperatively in sham-operated pigs (day 5) and in autotransplanted pigs (days 5 and 12), while in splenectomized pigs a significant decrease of erythrocyte count was present on all postoperative days of the experiment. Hemoglobin values and hematocrit changed according to changes in red blood cell count during the whole period of the experiment. Erythrocyte indices of splenectomized pigs were significantly increased postoperatively (MCV on the 12th and 26th days, MCH and MCHC on day 5). Autotransplanted pigs had significantly lower MCV (days 1, 5 and 12) and MCH (days 1 and 12), but significantly higher MCHC (5th day). The platelet count was significantly increased (12th day) in splenectomized pigs. The percentage of reticulocytes in the blood, including polychromasia, was significantly increased in all three groups of pigs on all postoperative days of the experiment. Morphological abnormalities of erythrocytes were found on the blood smears of all investigated groups of pigs, with prevalence on the smears of splenectomized pigs. The anemia and retikulocytosis found in blood samples of all investigated groups of pigs may have been physiological results showing the classical postoperative organism reaction to blood loss and surgical trauma. The more frequent appearance of variations in red blood cell morphology, such as the appearance of leptocytes, codocytes and Howell-Jolly bodies in splenectomized pigs when compared with the other two experimental groups, suggests that this was a change specific for splenectomy.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.57a035e5b1ae..6a1ea6b6d636d421201b2b9024dd0655