How phlebotomy affects the erythrocyte metabolism of high- and low-glutathione sheep.

Erythrocyte glutathione concentration increases dramatically in low-glutathione sheep of the Finnish-Landrace breed. To determine if this phenomenon occurs in low-glutathione sheep of the Corriedale or Merino type, the packed cell volume was decreased to less than 16 by phlebotomy. Glutathione concentrations increased in high- and low-glutathione sheep. Low-glutathione sheep returned to pre-phlebotomy levels by the 18th day; high-glutathione sheep increased, then decreased below pre-phlebotomy levels for the duration of the experiment. Packed cell volumes increased linearly (1-07 per cent per day) for 19 days. The maximum reticulocyte percentage (11-4) occurred on the eight day. Some erythrocyte enzymes increased as the mean cell age decreased, but some did not change. Erythrocyte adenosine-5'-triphosphate and creatine appear to be related to the reticulocyte count.