Paramètres influençant la structure et la fonction du globule rouge chez le cheval

The erythrocyte, as an oxygen carrier, is submitted to areas where oxidative stress is important. The maintenance of the structure and fluidity of its membrane is essential to its function. Indeed, oxygen must diffuse through the membrane and the deformability of the cell is essential to its progression through capillaries. The structure and, as a consequence, the fluidity of the membrane influence these properties. The red blood cell presents antioxydant capacities, but in some cases, free radical production is increased and exceeds antiradical defences leading to irreversible defects of the membrane, and, as a consequence, of its function. Horse erythrocyte seems to be more sensitive to oxidative stress than other species and resulting hemorheological changes could have tissular and organic consequences.