Changes in blood parameters in New Zealand White rabbits during pregnancy

Abstract

Changes in clinical pathology parameters, particularly those related to blood coagulation, were examined throughout the gestation period in New Zealand White rabbits. As compared with the non-pregnant group, the following major changes were observed in the pregnant group. For blood coagulation-related parameters, platelets increased progressively and fibrinogen increased slightly from organogenesis, prothrombin time was significantly prolonged during organogenesis and shortened in the late fetal growth stage, activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly prolonged during the fetal growth stage, and antithrombin III increased during and after late organogenesis. Such changes in blood coagulation-related parameters during the later stages of gestation seem to be physiological responses in preparation for protecting against excessive haemorrhage or haemostasis at parturition. For the other haematological and blood chemical parameters as well as progesterone, red blood cell counts, haemoglobin and haematocrit began to decrease during organogenesis and continued to decrease thereafter. Reticulocyte counts significantly increased during organogenesis and decreased thereafter. White blood cell parameters, except for neutrophils, showed significant decreases during the fetal growth stage. Serum progesterone concentration reached its highest level early in organogenesis and decreased thereafter. Total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, calcium, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine decreased significantly during the middle and/or late periods of gestation. In conclusion, the data obtained from the present study can be used as background data for effective evaluation of reproductive toxicology in rabbits, and pregnant rabbits may serve as models of pregnant women in research pertaining to clinical pathology and gestation.

Changes in blood parameters in pregnant Japanese White rabbits

“…Total protein (TP), albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, calcium, glucose and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased on GD 18 and/or GD 28. These results were almost similar to those in the pregnant New Zealand White rabbits (Mizoguchi et al, 2010). …”

“…[ATIII]) and progesterone concentrations were analyzed according to the methods described in our previous report on (NZW) rabbits (Mizoguchi et al, 2010). All animals were euthanized on GD 28 by exsanguination from the abdominal aorta under pentobarbital anesthesia.…”

“…We previously examined the changes in maternal blood parameters along the progression of pregnancy in rabbits of the New Zealand White strain (Kbl:NZW) rabbits (Mizoguchi et al, 2010). However, there is a paucity of data pertaining to hematology and blood biochemistry of pregnant Japanese White (JW) rabbits.…”

Comparative Effectiveness of Cyanoacrylate Bioadhesives and Monofilament Suture in Wound Healing: A Histopathological and Physicochemical Study in New Zealand White Rabbit

“…The general appearance and clinical course of all animals after surgery was good, with no apparent disease register data. Biochemical and haematological values were within the normal range for rabbits [18,[21][22][23], which suggests good biocompatibility of the adhesives. Histological features of the tissues of the layers of healthy normal skin rabbit are given in Figure 6.…”

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on warfarin-induced changes in blood coagulation-related parameters in rats

“…During pregnancy, it is well known that significant changes are observed in blood parameters including those related to blood coagulation system in rats and rabbits (Mizoguchi et al, 2009;Urasoko et al, 2009;Honda et al, 2008;de Rijk et al, 2002;Katoh et al, 1992;Wells et al, 1999) as well as in women (Franchini, 2006;Holmes and Wallacet, 2005;Brenner, 2004). Therefore, the reaction to chemical exposure is possibly different between pregnant or postpartum animals and non-pregnant animals.…”