Xenotransfusion

Jean-Baptiste Denis, a French physician, and Paul Emmerez, a surgeon, performed the first documented xenotransfusion on June 15, 1667. The transfusion occurred between a lamb and a 15-year-old boy.[1][4] Carotid artery blood from the lamb was introduced to a vein in the patient’s inner elbow, and the procedure ultimately resulted in a successful recovery.[4] Denis and Emmerez performed multiple xenotransfusions together. On June 24, 1667, the duo performed a transfusion on a young Swedish nobleman.[1] When they arrived, the patient had already lost his ability to speak and was practically unconscious. Shortly after the transfusion began, the patient was able to speak again. His health was improving until his condition grew progressively worse. A second transfusion took place, but it was unsuccessful, and the patient died.

Richard Lower, an English physician, performed a similar procedure on November 23, 1667.[1][4] He successfully transfused the blood of a lamb to a 22-year-old man.[1] In both cases, the whole blood of the lamb was directly introduced into the vein of the patient. The direct introduction of blood was due to a lack of knowledge in preventative blood coagulation techniques at the time.

After several xenotransfusion procedures, some successful some not, the French Parliament prohibited the practice of these transfusions in 1670.[4] The English Parliament, as well as the Pope, followed suit and prohibited the procedures shortly after.

Xenotransfusion uses non-human animals to aid in the shortage of blood for blood transfusion in humans. Although there needs to be more study on the topic some scientists are already considering the idea to use Sus scrofa domesticus (pigs) for blood transfusion. To come up with this answer they tested many animals to see which one was the best candidate for blood donation. As a result, pig red blood cells (pRBCs) showed more characteristics similar to that of a human. Starting with RBC diameters (pig 6 μm: human 7.2 μm) and RBC counts (pig 5.7 to 6.9 million/ll; human 4.2 to 6.2 million/ll) and, RBC average lifespan (86 vs. 120 days).[5] Current evidence shows that pRBCs will function normally in humans due to a relation between porcine blood groups and human ABO group system.[6] In addition, it is possible to produce pigs with type O blood and it is also possible to genetically modify the pig to make its blood more compatible with humans. Sus scrofa domesticus’s blood will be used to save lives and to increase blood quantity. The organism will be kept alive and no serious harm will be involved in XTF. It will be similar to how blood is removed from humans. Only 10% of the animal’s blood volume will be used each time, therefore, it is ethically acceptable to raise pigs for periodical blood collection as it does not damage the health of the animal. It will also be ethical to use pRBCs on humans since it will not cause a severe harm on human’s health.[7] At the moment XTF is not a real necessity because a lot of people are willing to donate their blood and there is not a significant shortage on blood. However, it represents a great opportunity for new science as well as an unlimited blood bank for blood transfusions.

Transfusion of canine blood into domestic cats was performed historically and continues to be performed in some countries.[8]

Xenotransfusions have been performed on birds, though the procedure is only done to stabilize a bird in shock, due to rejection by the recipient bird's antibodies.[9]

Xenotransfusion of bovine whole blood into domestic goats has been preliminarily investigated as a potential option for anemic goats.[10] When comparing caprine-recipient bovine-donor cross matching a study found 11/15 caprine-bovine combinations compatible on both major and minor cross matching.[11]