Survival of carrier erythrocytes in splenectomized calves.

Carrier erythrocyte survival was investigated in intact and splenectomized calves. Survival curves for both were biphasic, with a characteristic early loss of 10% to 15% of the carrier cells in intact calves followed by a half-life of 22 to 24 days. In splenectomized calves, 50% to 75% of the carrier cells disappeared from circulation in the first 24 hours. The 2nd phase of survival showed a 44-day half-life for the remaining carrier cells. Erythrocytes from splenectomized calves appeared to be permeable to [14C]sucrose and were more susceptible to irreversible hemolysis from the dialysis encapsulation procedure. Blood volume determination showed a 22% decrease after splenectomy.