Cows have 800 (and possibly more) blood types. The most common blood type in the United States is O Positive (39% of the population), while the least common blood type is AB negative with only (0.5% of the population).
We collect and transfuse O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B -, AB+ and AB- red blood cells, platelets and plasma. But did you know that cats have at least three major blood types, dogs have at least four, and cows have 800 different blood types?
Eleven genetic sys- tems of blood groups have so far been identified in cattle (28). The cattle systems are named A, B, C, E-V, J, L, M, N, S, Z, and R'-S'. Only one blood factor is so far reeognized in each of the systems J, L, and N, and those blood factors are, respectively, J, L. and N.
The blood type refers to both group and factor, so each horse has a blood type such as Qa or Pd. Doing the math, this leads to over 400,000 combinations! So the first major difference between humans and horses is that we veterinarians very rarely can give truly “matched” blood.
Humans are usually one of four main blood types (although 35 have been identified for us). Thirteen types have been identified for dogs, eight for horses and three for cats.
In pigs there are only A and O alleles, so there can only be two blood types, A and O. Genetic analysis has shown that the porcine A gene is homologous to the ABO genes in humans and other species. It encodes an α1→ 3 N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyltransferase that synthesizes A antigens.
Two categories of blood groups, human-type and simian-type, occur in apes and monkeys and can be routinely tested by methods established for grouping human blood. Abundant data have been obtained on blood groups of chimpanzees, baboons and macaques.
Chimpanzees have been found thus far to have primarily type A blood, with type O less commonly. Gorillas appear to be exclusively type B. Orangutans express all three blood types.
The existence of multiple blood groups in the rat has been known since the immunogenetic investigations of Burhoe,' in which at least two genetically unrelated antigens of red blood cells were recognized. The subsequent studies of Owen2 indicated a minimum of four antigenic loci in this species.
Over 13 canine blood groups have been described. Eight DEA types are recognized as international standards. Typing sera produced by canine alloimmunization exists for six DEA types: 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, and 7.
The 4 blood groups are A, B, AB and O. Each of these will be either Rh-positive or Rh-negative. In an emergency, a transfusion of O negative red blood cells can be given to anybody, but it is better to match the exact blood group to avoid serious reactions.
The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Working Party for Red Cell Immunogenetics and Blood Group Terminology (ISBT WP) maintains an official record of all currently recognised blood group systems. There are currently 44 recognised blood group systems containing 354 red cell antigens (December 2022).
Chickens have thirteen alloantigen systems found on their nucleated red blood cells (Briles et al., 1950; Briles, 1962 Briles, , 1984Gilmour, 1959). The systems are identified by a letter: A, B, C, D, E, H, I, J, K, L, N, P, and R.
Blood groups among birds have not been thoroughly studied among many species. However, in chickens twenty-eight different blood group antigens have been described. Multiple other blood groups have been discovered in other common species such as turkeys, pheasants, quail and ducks.
Interesting to note, our non-native species (tigers, lions, and leopards) are all type-A and the cougars (native species) are type-B. We are very curious to see what blood types our cheetahs and bobcats are as they may have the rare AB-type blood.
What are the different blood types? There are eight blood types included in the ABO and Rh blood group systems: A positive (A+), A negative (A-), B positive (B+), B negative (B-), AB positive (AB+), AB negative (AB-), O positive (O+), O negative (O-).
Horses have 7 different red blood cell groups or systems, named A, C, D, K, P, Q, and U. Each system corresponds to a particular gene for which two or more alleles exists. The blood group genes produce surface molecules that contain antigenic sites known as factors. Over 30 different factors have been identified.
To date, there are shreds of evidence of only three blood groups in fishes: S system for pacific salmon, trout, cod, spiny dogfish and red crucian carp, Tg system for tuna, and Y system for skipjack tuna.
There is evidence that the different blood types have evolved over millions of years, with type A being the most ancient.
vulgaris lectin. Thus, our study indicated that all samples from the Bengal tigers were blood type A (Table 1).
In China, women often don't learn that they have a rare blood type until they become pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This was precisely the case for Wang, who discovered three years ago during a routine prepregnancy checkup that she has Rh negative blood — nicknamed “panda blood” because of its rarity.
Where did Rhesus factor come from? It did get its name from the Rhesus macaque monkey, but not because we got it from them! Scientists just happened to first discover this blood type in Rhesus monkeys. It turns out that some forms of Rhesus molecules are found in most life forms …
Type O-: Unicorn
A rare breed, O- type individuals make up only 6.6% of the population, so it's important to use the healing power of your unicorn horns to donate whole or even double red blood cells whenever possible.
The ranking of ABO blood groups phenotypic distribution in China is O > A > B > AB. The proportions of A, B, O and AB type in China population are 28.72%, 28.17%, 34.20%, and 8.91%, respectively.
Rh-null or golden blood
Because Rh-null lacks all possible antigens, it can be donated to people who have blood types that are very different from the main eight. However, Rh-null can only accept blood from people with Rh-null blood type.