Predicted to enable several functions, including heme binding activity; oxygen binding activity; and oxygen carrier activity. Predicted to contribute to haptoglobin binding activity and peroxidase activity. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including erythrocyte development; in utero embryonic development; and response to stilbenoid. Located in myelin sheath. Is expressed in several structures, including blood vessel; early conceptus; hematopoietic system; liver; and visceral pericardium. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Heinz body anemia; alpha thalassemia; familial erythrocytosis 7; and hemoglobin H disease. Orthologous to human HBA2 (hemoglobin subunit alpha 2). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]