Hematological parameters and iron metabolism in pigeons and chickens with phenylhydrazine-induced anemia.

A single phenylhydrazine injection (1.8 mg/kg body weight in chickens and 2.2 mg/kg body weight in pigeons) was administered intramuscularly to different lots of animals. The modification of hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte number, reticulocyte concentration, plasma iron, and total iron-binding capacity was monitored versus time. Depression of the hematological parameters in chickens was greatest on the second day (27-40%), and the values returned to normal by day 7. The drop in pigeons was greater (28-51%) and took longer to return to normal (day 22). The highest percentage of reticulocytes was 35-37%. A plasma iron increase was concomitant to cell destruction and decreased later. The plasma iron clearance values showed a double slope line as a result of the presence of reticulocytes. A high correlation existed between iron uptake by red blood cells at 5 min and the reticulocyte concentration. The responses of the two species to the phenylhydrazine were similar, and differences were more quantitative than qualitative. Reticulocytes were present in normal pigeons, which introduces an important variant in iron metabolism in birds.