Hematological response of rabbits to chronic, repetitive, severe bleedings for the production of antisera.
A study was undertaken to determine whether large amounts of blood (antiserum) could be rapidly removed from rabbits over a two-month period using a simple suction technique. It was found that half a blood volume could be readily removed each week (over 900 ml/rabbit/54 days) without a single fatality. The rabbits efficiently replaced the essential components of their blood during the experimental period as shown by a study of their blood parameters. They moderately overcompensated in replacing some of their blood components after a 6-week rest period. The study demonstrates that rabbits are satisfactory (in lieu of larger animals) for supplying relatively large amounts of antisera.
D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001815:Bloodletting; D006128:Growth; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007106:Immune Sera; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007106:Immune Sera