Evaluation of osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in dystocia affected buffaloes

Susceptibility of erythrocytes to osmotic stress is increased near parturit ion due to variable endocrine milieu. Possibility of comparatively more inc rease in fragility of erythrocytes in dystocia affected buffaloes is needed to be ascertained. Osmotic resistance of erythrocytes was evaluated in 26 dystocia affected buffaloes subjected to fetotomy or caesarean section. Blo od samples were collected before treatment and then at 24 hr interval for 2 days. Minimum and maximum haemolysis of erythrocytes and mean corpuscular fragility was determined in different concentrations of saline solutions. O smotic fragility values of 6 calving buffaloes on 6 peripartal days served as controls. Erythrocytes in controls were least resistant on the day of ca lving than the peripartal days. In dystocia affected buffaloes, initial and maximum haemolysis values showed the erythrocytes to be less resistant to osmotic stress as compared to controls. On post-manoeuvring days, erythrocy tes in buffaloes that either survived or died following caesarean operation were more fragile than the fetotomy group.