Hematological response of Japanese quail to acute hemorrhagic stress.

Hematological and serum biochemical changes in response to hemorrhagic stress were determined in both sexes of juvenile and adult Coturnix coturnix japonica over 3 day period following a mechanical hemorrhage of 30% of the calculated total blood volume. There was an initial shift posthemorrhage towards greater numbers of more mature erythrocytes and fewer circulating reticulocytes. Reticulocytosis was indicated 48-72 hr posthemorrhage. Glucose and lactic acid dehydrogenase levels increased after hemorrhage. Serum beta-glucuronidase was elevated only in adults. Japanese quail seemed to recover from hemorrhage more rapidly than had been reported for chickens, other birds and mammals.