Changes

Both the iron and globulin are recycled for further use in [[erythropoiesis]]. The porphyrin from haemoglobin breakdown is converted to biliverdin, a green pigment, which may contribute to the greenish appearance seen in local bruising. Biliverdin is subsequently changed into bilirubin. This '''unconjugated''' bilirubin is not water soluble and is thus bound to albumin to be transported in the blood to the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]]. In the hepatocyte, bilirubin is released from the albumin and conjugated with glucuronic acid, forming water soluble '''conjugated''' bilirubin. This is secreted into bile which then moves into the small intestine.

Bilirubin is a pigment formed from the haem groups of haemoglobin molecules. The enzymatic conversion occurs within cells of the monocyte-phagocyte system (MPS) when haemoglobin is released by the degradation of red blood cells. This '''unconjugated''' bilirubin is not water soluble and it is transported in plasma bound to albumin. It is taken up into hepatocytes where it is conjugated with glucuronic acid.  The resultant '''conjugated''' bilirubin is water soluble and it is secreted into bile which then moves into the small intestine.

 

The conjugated bilirubin is degraded to '''urobilinogen''' by gastro-intestinal bacteria and a small proportion of this product is reabsorbed and excreted in the urine.  The remaining urobilinogen is further degraded to '''stercobilin''', a brown pigment which contributes to the colour of faeces.  Therefore, in animals with complete biliary obstruction, urobilinogen is absent from the urine and the faeces have a white/grey 'acholic' colour due to the absence of stercobilin.  The latter alteration in faecal colour also results from steatorrhoea.   

The conjugated bilirubin is degraded to '''urobilinogen''' by gastro-intestinal bacteria and a small proportion of this product is reabsorbed and excreted in the urine.  The remaining urobilinogen is further degraded to '''stercobilin''', a brown pigment which contributes to the colour of faeces.  Therefore, in animals with complete biliary obstruction, urobilinogen is absent from the urine and the faeces have a white/grey 'acholic' colour due to the absence of stercobilin.  The latter alteration in faecal colour also results from steatorrhoea.   

Small quantities of conjugated bilirubin are found in the urine of normal dogs because it has a low renal threshold.

Small quantities of conjugated bilirubin are found in the urine of normal dogs because it has a low renal threshold.

The '''Van de Berg test''' can be used to distinguish conjugated from unconjugated bilirubin.  Plasma from an icteric animal is treated with an aqueous solution of the reagent diazotised sulphanilic acid and this produces a red-purple colour reaction.  The intensity of this colour is directly proportional to the amount of water soluble (conjugated ) bilirubin in the sample.  Further addition of alcohol intensifies the colour if there is non-water soluble (unconjugated) bilirubin also present.  The intensified colour is directly proportional to the total amount of bilirubin present in the sample and the difference between the two readings gives the amount of unconjugated bilirubin in the sample.

The technical name for '''Jaundice''' is '''[[Icterus]]''', which refers to the staining of tissues by bilirubin pigment or bilirubin complexes, a phenomenon that is clinically evident on physical examination of the sclera and mucous membranes. It can also been seen on a separated blood sample - the serum will appear yellow/orange in colour.

 

[[Icterus]] refers to the staining of tissues by bilirubin pigment or bilirubin complexes, a phenomenon that is clinically evident on examination of the sclera and mucous membranes.

<big>'''See also [[Bilirubin in lizards]]'''</big>

The '''Van de Berg test''' can be used to distinguish conjugated from unconjugated bilirubin. Plasma from an icteric animal is treated with an aqueous solution of the reagent '''diazotised sulphanilic acid''' and this produces a red-purple colour reaction. The intensity of this colour is directly proportional to the amount of water soluble (conjugated ) bilirubin in the sample. Further addition of alcohol intensifies the colour if there is non-water soluble (unconjugated) bilirubin also present. The intensified colour is directly proportional to the total amount of bilirubin present in the sample and the difference between the two readings gives the amount of unconjugated bilirubin in the sample.

[[Category:Blood Biochemistry Changes]]

[[Category:Blood Biochemistry Changes]]