The effects of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and early lactation on haematology and plasma biochemistry in the baboon (Papio hamadryas)

Abstract

The changes in the haematology and clinical biochemistry associated with the different stages of the menstrual cycle, gestation and lactation in the baboon (Papio hamadryas) were evaluated in a prospective longitudinal study. Serial EDTA and heparin blood samples were collected from 12 baboons. Haemoglobin concentration, haematorcrit, red blood cell and white blood cell counts were decreased in the luteal compared to the follicular phase (P<0.001); the reverse effect was observed for platelet count, total protein and albumin concentrations. The changes in plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine and cholesterol and plasma osmolality were characterized by reductions (P<0.01) in early pregnancy which were maintained throughout gestation. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase, as well as haemoglobin, haematocrit and red cell count were reduced (P<0.001) from mid-gestation. Platelet count and plasma calcium concentration fell continuously throughout gestation (P<0.001). Plasma triglycerides were lower and plasma iron was higher (P<0.01) in gestation compared to the phases of the menstrual cycle and lactation. By 1 week post partum, all parameters except haemaglobin had returned to pre-conception levels.

Comparative hematological analysis of Morada Nova and Santa Inês ewes in all reproductive stages

“…It is not only relevant for diagnosing disorders of the hematologic system but also is important indices of animal health and production (Oladele et al 2005). Several factors affect cellular and plasma haemodynamics such as breed (Tibbo et al 2008), pregnancy (Farooq et al 2011) and lactation (Harewood et al 2000). The results of this study demonstrated that the total red cell count was influenced only by the reproductive stages (P<0.0001) and was not affected by breed (P>0.4718) or interaction between the factors (Table 3).…”

Hematological Modulation in Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle

“…Several other studies showed no significant changes in Hb Concentration and RBC Count during various phases of menstrual cycle 10 . There was a pronounced tendency towards an increase in Hb and RBC Count from the early menstrual phase until the postovulatory period, with a subsequent decrease towards the end of the cycle 11,12 . The cyclic variations act as indicators of iron status and are a potential source of error when iron status is assessed in large population surveys that include women of reproductive age 13 .…”

Influence of reproductive cycle, sex, age and season on haematologic parameters in domestic animals: A review

“…Also in the study, the lowest TLC was recorded during pregnancy, while the highest was obtained during dioestrus. Harewood et al (2000) observed a decrease in Hb, PCV and RBC, but an increase in MCV during pregnancy. By contrast, significant higher PCV was recorded in pregnant West African Dwarf ewes than either the lactating or dry ewes (Durotoye and Oyewale, 2000).…”

“…Various workers have reported changes in haematological parameters during the different phases of the oestrous cycle (Harewood et al, 2000;Alavi-Shoushtari et al, 2006;Chaudhari and Mshelia, 2006). Significantly higher erythrocyte and leucocyte counts have been reported in oestrus in comparison with the dioestrus phase in cattle (Soliman and Zaki, 1963;Hussain and Daniel, 1991).…”

“…They include, age (Egbe-Nwiyi et al, 2000;Olayemi and Nottidge, 2007;Devi and Kumar, 2012), sex (Gabriel et al, 2004;Cetin et al, 2009), breed (Tibbo et al, 2004;Tibbo et al, 2008a;Tibbo et al, 2008b), season (Mira and Maria, 1994;Oladele et al, 2005), pregnancy (Ozegbe, 2001;Kim et al, 2002;Farooq et al, 2011;Okonkwo et al, 2011a) and nutritional status (Ekenyem and Madubruke, 2000;Iyayi, 2001). Other factors that affect haematological parameters include lactation (Harewood et al, 2000), egg laying (Oyewale and Fajimi, 1988), blood volume (Probst et al, 2006), stage of oestrous cycle (Alavi-Shoustari et al, 2006;Chaudhari and Mshelia, 2006), biological rhythms (Hauss, 1994;Greppi et al, 1996;Azeez et al, 2009) and altitude (Wickler and Aderson, 2000). The aim of the present paper is to briefly review the current state of existing knowledge on the influence of reproductive cycle, sex, age and season on haematologic indices, with emphasis on domestic animals reared under tropical conditions.…”