Erythrocyte aggregation and cytoarchitecture in piglets fed plant-based food under the Central Russia ecological conditions

Microrheological modification of formed elements and the blood rheological properties change in early animal ontogenesis. In piglets, the microrheological parameters of erythrocytes in many ways provide for the proper blood flow characteristics, which are necessary for growth, the development of a viscera perfusion and maturing. In 46 healthy Large White piglets fed a vegetable diet, the activity of lipid peroxidation (LPO), cytoarchitectonics and aggregation of red blood cells were assessed at the age of 41, 90, 150, 200 and 230 days and the corresponding indices calculated. In the experiment, an optimal lipid composition of red blood cells and the low LPO were identified. By the end of the observation, the aggregation of red cells increased, and the content of reversible modified and irreversible altered red cells grew up to 12.8±0.05 and 7.0±0.09 %, respectively. The number of discocytes decreased up to 80.2±0.08 %. The proportion of erythrocytes, which form the aggregates, and the number of their units increased with decreasing number of free red cells. The changes, found in microrheological properties of erythrocytes, their cytoarchitectonics and unit formation during the ontogeny, contribute to blood supply and the maintenance of active cell metabolism in organs and tissues of growing animals.