Pig blood is quite similar to human blood, with red blood cells of a comparable size and lifespan. However, research also indicates that sheep blood demonstrates the closest match to human blood viscosity among several species studied. While primates like monkeys and apes possess blood types comparable to the human ABO system, the research emphasizes pigs and sheep more for their blood's similarity to human blood in specific contexts like xenotransfusion research (the transfer of blood between a non-human animal and a human) and in vitro testing of biomaterials.
Pig Blood: A Close Match
- Red blood cell size and lifespan: Pig red blood cells are similar in size and lifespan to human red blood cells. This similarity makes pig blood a potential candidate for xenotransfusion. [Source: Xenotransfusion research currently focusses on pigs, not apes, and it's not just because pigs are abundant. They're blood actually is quite similar to human blood. The size of red blood cells is similar. 25-Jan-2016]
Sheep Blood: Closest Viscosity Match
- Blood viscosity: Studies show that sheep blood has a viscosity most similar to that of human blood under certain conditions. [Source: For several studied conditions, sheep blood was the closest match to human blood viscosity among the tested species. (Multiple sources: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34042285/, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157792/)]
Primate Blood: ABO System Similarities
- ABO Blood Group System: Monkeys and apes share similarities with humans in their ABO blood group systems, although they are not identical. [Source: Monkeys and apes have been shown to have blood types comparable, although not identical, to the human ABO blood group system.]
It's important to note that the "closest" animal blood to human blood depends on the specific characteristic being compared (e.g., red blood cell size, viscosity, blood group system). The research highlights pigs and sheep as strong contenders based on different criteria.
