Self-imposed food deprivation and wheel-running activity in field-trapped Norway rats as a function of environmental change,time in captivity and age at capture

The tendency of juvenile and adult field-trapped Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) to exhibit self-induced food deprivation in response to changes in their living environment was studied after different periods of residency in the laboratory environment. Self-imposed food deprivation resulting from the forced occupation of a novel environment (activity wheels) was greater for those animals tested immediately upon capture and after 25 weeks in captivity than for rats in captivity for 4 weeks. The deprivation response of juveniles was less than for adults immediately following capture but after 25 weeks in captivity the responses of the two age groups were similar. Deprivation responses following reintroduction to the home cage environment diminished over time in captivity. Wheel-running by adults was greatest immediately following capture whereas juveniles continued to show relatively high levels of wheel-running at 4 weeks in captivity. The results are discussed in terms of habituation to the laboratory environment and time-dependent changes in response to novelty.     

Circannual rhythms in the blood picture of laboratory rats

Circannual rhythms of the erythrocyte, total leucocyte, absolute segmented neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in laboratory Wistar rats were found. The highest mean counts occurred in autumn and at the begining of winter. The lowest counts werte recorded in spring and at the begining of summer. A similar circannual rhythm of absolute eosinophil counts in females was also found, but it was not present in males. Circannual rhythms of the relative lymphocyte, segmented neutrophil and eosinophil were not found. The course of seasonal variations in erythrocyte, total leucocyte, absolute segmented neutrophil and lymphocyte counts of males was similar to those of females.     

Seasonal hematology and serum chemistry of wild beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA

We collected blood from 18 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), live-captured in Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA, in May and September 2008, to establish baseline hematologic and serum chemistry values and to determine whether there were significant differences in hematologic values by sex, season, size/age, or time during the capture period. Whole blood was collected within an average of 19 min (range=11-30 min) after the net was set for capture, and for eight animals, blood collection was repeated in a later season after between 80-100 min; all blood was processed within 12 hr. Mean hematocrit, chloride, creatinine, total protein, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lower in May than they were in September, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocytes, phosphorous, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, and creatinine kinase were significantly higher. Mean total protein, white blood cell count, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were significantly higher early in the capture period than they were later. No significant differences in blood analyte values were noted between males and females. Using overall body length as a proxy for age, larger (older) belugas had lower white blood cell, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts as well as lower sodium, potassium, and calcium levels but higher creatinine levels than smaller belugas. These data provide values for hematology and serum chemistry for comparisons with other wild belugas.     

Hematologic effects of cytauxzoonosis in Florida panthers and Texas cougars in Florida.

Cytauxzoon felis is a long-recognized hemoparasite of free-ranging Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi), but its prevalence and effect on the population has not been assessed. Red blood cell indices and white blood cell counts were compared between infected and noninfected Florida panthers and Texas cougars (Puma concolor stanleyana) from 1983-1997 in Florida (USA). The prevalence of cytauxzoonosis for both populations was 39% (11/28) for Texas cougars, 35% for Florida panthers (22/63) and 36% overall. Thirteen hematologic parameters were compared between C. felis positive and negative panthers and cougars. Florida panthers had significantly lower mean cell hemoglobin count (MCHC) and higher white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil counts (P < or = 0.05) than Texas cougars. Infected Florida panthers had significantly lower mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and monocyte counts and higher neutrophil and eosinophil counts than infected Texas cougars. Although statistically significant differences were measured for hematologic parameters in C. felis positive panthers and cougars, biologically significant differences were not likely because values were generally within expected reference ranges for healthy animals. Cytauxzoonosis does not appear to have a negative effect on the hematologic parameters of chronically infected panthers and cougars. Potential transient changes during initial infection were not evaluated.     

Sudanophilia of rat lymphocytes

A significant proportion of large lymphocytes in laboratory rats is stained with Sudan black B. The increase in the counts of sudanophilic blood lymphocytes over control values indicated reliably the recovery of lymphocytic function even when total lymphocyte, small or large lymphocyte counts were normal or reduced.     

Hematologic and biochemical values for Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) captured via drive-net and box-trap

Between October 2002 and September 2004, 70 free-ranging Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) were captured in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, using two different physical methods, drive-net (n=26) and box-trap (n=44). Blood samples were taken to determine 20 hematologic and 23 biochemical variables. Values obtained fell within already published reference intervals, with the following exceptions: higher values for red blood cells (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), eosinophil count, triglyceride concentration, creatine kinase (CK; in box-trap), chloride, sodium, alpha-1, alpha-2, and gamma electrophoretic fractions of serum proteins; and lower values for hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), urea concentration, CK (in drive-net), albumin, and albumin:globulins ratio (A:G). Published values for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration are both higher and lower than observed in this study. In our study, monocyte and eosinophil counts, as well as triglyceride and potassium concentrations, were lower in animals captured via box-trap than those captured via drive-net. Conversely, MCHC, neutrophil count, total bilirubin concentration, urea, and AST were higher in animals captured via box-trap. Hematologic and biochemical values obtained from Spanish ibexes show that the drive-net is a newer, less-stressful method of capture than the box-trap.     

White blood count in patients on regular haemodialysis

Total white cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were compared in patients with chronic renal failure treated successively by conservative means (low-protein diet), regular haemodialysis, and renal allotransplantation. The lowest total white cell and neutrophil counts and the highest lymphocyte counts were found in patients on regular haemodialysis. A rapid fall in neutrophil count during the first half-hour of dialysis and a more gradual fall between the first and sixth hours were observed. Adherence of neutrophils and mononuclear cells to the cuprophane (PT 150) dialysis membrane has been shown.     

Changes in hematologic values in 11 months after birth in the cynomolgus monkeys

Changes in hematological values were studied with 131 healthy cynomolgus monkeys aged less than 11 months. The parameters measured were erythrocyte count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leucocyte count (WBC), and differential leucocyte count. No remarkable change was found with RBC during the whole period of this study. Relatively high values were obtained with Ht, MCV, and Hb in the newborns aged 0 to 7 days. These values continued to decrease until 3 months of age, after which the values increased again attaining approximately adult levels at 11 months of age. WBC was very high at birth and then decreased to the minimum level at 3 days of age. It was followed by gradual increase until about 4 months of age at which a nearly adult level was attained. Lymphocyte counts were smaller than neutrophil counts on the day of birth. However, this numerical relation was inverted 2 days after birth and the lymphocyte counts became markedly larger than the neutrophil counts about 1 week after birth. Additionally, the values obtained from the cord blood of 6 Cesarean-delivered newborns were compared with those from the blood taken 5 hours after cesarean delivery.     

Hematological and biochemical reference intervals for wild caught Eurasian otter from Spain

Hematologic and serum chemistry reference intervals were determined from 33 wild caught Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra lutra) between November 1995 and May 1998 during a reintroduction project. Blood was obtained by jugular venipuncture after administration of ketamine and medetomidine. The mean, standard deviation, and range for 19 hematology parameters and 28 serum chemistry values are presented. There were no significant differences between sexes in most analytes. The results are in agreement with those reported previously for Eurasian otters with the exception of higher leukocyte and neutrophil counts, lower eosinophil and lymphocyte counts and higher activities for aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase. The Eurasian otters have lower erythrocyte counts but higher mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin values than the river otter (Lutra canadensis) in North America.     

Haematological profile in healthy urban population (8 to 70 years of age)

Haematological profile for 17 constituents of blood were determined in 998 healthy school children (8-19 years old) and 2246 healthy adult persons (20-70 years old) residing permanently or at least 5 years in a defined geographic region of Zagreb, Croatia. Physiological variations corresponding to age and sex were studied as the most important factors affecting biological variation in haematological constituents of blood. In our study erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit values were not sex dependent until the age of 13 after which the values were higher in men that in women. Sedimentation rate showed sex and age related differences in the adult age with higher values in women especially after 50 years. Total leukocyte count declined with age and in adults the values were slightly lower in women. Segmented neutrophil granulocytes showed the upward trend with age whereas the lymphocyte and monocyte counts declined. Women showed slightly higher platelet count in the adult age. Based on biological variation, we have estimated the reference intervals for 17 haematological constituents of blood in order to provide medically reliable evaluation of haematological laboratory results.     

The effect of maximal exercise on the activity of neutrophil granulocytes in highly trained athletes in a moderate training period

Leucocyte cell counts and the phagocytic and chemotactic activities of neutrophil granulocytes were investigated in highly endurance-trained long-distance runners (n = 10) and triathletes (n = 10) during a moderate training period and compared with untrained subjects (n = 10) before and up to 24 h after a graded exercise to exhaustion on a treadmill. After exercise a leucocytosis was noted with a significant increase in lymphocyte (P < or = 0.01) and neutrophil (P < or = 0.01) counts in all groups. In neutrophils the number of ingested inert latex beads was significantly increased (P < or = 0.01) from 0.21 (SD 0.09) to 0.45 (SD 0.22) in controls, from 0.20 (SD 0.12) to 0.56 (SD 0.16) in long-distance runners and from 0.25 (SD 0.08) to 1.03 (SD 0.42) particles per cell in triathletes 24 h after exercise, compared with resting values. The capability of neutrophils to produce microbicidal reactive oxygen species fell (P < or = 0.05) immediately after exercise in all subjects and then increased by 36 (SD 8)%, 31 (SD 6)% and 19 (SD 9)% in controls, runners and triathletes respectively up to 24 h after exercise (P < or = 0.05) compared with pre-start values. With respect to the absolute number of neutrophils, ingestion capacity, production of superoxide anions and chemotactic activity, no significant differences were found between athletes and control subjects at rest and after exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Effect of Eimeria nieschulzi Infection on Leukocyte Levels in the Rat*

SYNOPSIS. Rats inoculated with 10,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria nieschulzi had significantly higher total leukocyte counts on postinoculation days (PI) 1, 5, 6 and 7 when compared to control rats. Relative and absolute neutrophil counts increased concomitantly with a decrease in the relative lymphocyte levels in E. nieschulzi-infected rats on PI day 7. Absolute and relative neutrophil counts in infected rats on PI days 7 and 8 were closely correlated with the host's total oocyst discharge. The E. nieschulzi infection had no significant effect on the relative or absolute levels of monocytes or eosinophils. The described changes in leukocyte levels were not paralleled by a significant change in the erythrocyte count.     

Clinico-pathological studies on naturally-occurring bovine fascioliasis in the Sudan.

An investigation was made of the pathological, haematological and biochemical aspects of naturally-occurring bovine fascioliasis in the Sudan. 228 animals infected with Fasciola gigantica and 25 non-infected controls were used in the study. The infected cattle revealed emaciation, typical liver pathology, and, occasionally, lesions in the lung and the pancreas. Analysis of their sera also showed reduced albumin values, increased globulin concentrations and decrease albumin/globulin ratio, in addition to increased arginase activity. The serum iron concentration, on the other hand, was decreased, while the total iron binding capacity increased and the resultant iron saturation values reduced. Haematological findings in the infected animals included reduced erythrocyte counts, decreased haematocrit values, increased mean corpuscular volumes, eosinophilia and decreased neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts. Other parameters were similar in infected and control cattle.     

The effect of Trifolium, Raphanus, and Cistus pollen grains on some blood parameters and mesentery mast cells

Three kinds of pollen taxa belonging to 3 families (Fabaceae--Trifolium spp., Brassicaceae--Raphanus spp. and Cistaceae--Cistus spp.) and commonly collected by honeybees were fed to mature male rats separately, in the form of 60 mg/animal/day for a 30-day period. The objective of this study was to investigate any positive effects or possible side effects of the use of pollen on the immune system. This was achieved through blood analysis and cell count on blood, hemoglobin, erythrocyte and immune system cells. The cell concentration of mast cells, degranulization and cell localization were investigated in prepared mesentery tissue samples. Histological investigations of the stomach and duedenum sections of pollen-fed rats were carried out to learn the reason for eosinophil gastroenteritis in the alimentary canal. The eosinophil and lymphocyte levels of rats fed with pollen of Trifolium spp., Raphanus spp., and Cistus spp. were observed to have increased blood cell counts, while neutrophil and monocyte levels decreased; different values were found in basophil leucocytes between the pollen groups. Differing reductions in mesentery mast cell concentration, degranulization and cell localization were found. Within the three separate pollens, the rats having been fed with Cistus spp. pollen were observed to have higher blood lymphocyte, eosinophil, hemoglobin and hematocrit values than those fed with the others, as well as low mesentery mast cell concentration. Hemoglobin values were determined to increase at a proportion of between 10.0-11.3%. No difference was found in other blood parameters. The fat proportion of the male rats fed with the three taxa was between 4.03-8.75%, while that for protein proportion was between 16.11-24.25%. Male rats receiving these taxa did not experience allergic reactions and it is possible to argue that the low protein and fat content of these pollens have a strengthening effect on the immune systems by the increase in lymphocyte content and the amount of hemoglobin leads to an increase of oxygen transport capacity in the tissues.     

Hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals for the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) categorized by age and sex

Normal reference range intervals for hematologic and serum biochemical values in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) have seldom been reported. The few studies that have been conducted either report values on the basis of a small number of animals, report values for all age groups or both sexes combined, or were designed specifically to document the effect of a particular condition on the normal range of hematologic and serum biochemical values. On the basis of data collected from 133 chimpanzees over a 17-year period, empirically based clinical reference ranges were derived to provide a guide for basic diagnostic and clinical care of chimpanzees. For either sex within each of four age groups, there is a table that summarizes serum biochemical and a table that summarizes hematologic values. These values are compared with prior values, and their importance in the care and well being of captive chimpanzee populations is discussed.     

Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio Is Associated with Non-Calcified Plaque Burden in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Elevations in soluble markers of inflammation and changes in leukocyte subset distribution are frequently reported in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Lately, the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio has emerged as a potential marker of both CAD severity and cardiovascular prognosis.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate whether neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and other immune-inflammatory markers were related to plaque burden, as assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), in patients with CAD.

Methods

Twenty patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and 30 patients with stable angina (SA) underwent CCTA at two occasions, immediately prior to coronary angiography and after three months. Atherosclerotic plaques were classified as calcified, mixed and non-calcified. Blood samples were drawn at both occasions. Leukocyte subsets were analyzed by white blood cell differential counts and flow cytometry. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin(IL)-6 were measured in plasma. Blood analyses were also performed in 37 healthy controls.

Results

Plaque variables did not change over 3 months, total plaque burden being similar in NSTE-ACS and SA. However, non-calcified/total plaque ratio was higher in NSTE-ACS, 0.25(0.09–0.44) vs 0.11(0.00–0.25), p<0.05. At admission, levels of monocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios, CD4+ T cells, CRP and IL-6 were significantly elevated, while levels of NK cells were reduced, in both patient groups as compared to controls. After 3 months, levels of monocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios and CD4+ T cells remained elevated in patients. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios and neutrophil counts correlated significantly with numbers of non-calcified plaques and also with non-calcified/total plaque ratio (r = 0.403, p = 0.010 and r = 0.382, p = 0.024, respectively), but not with total plaque burden.

Conclusions

Among immune-inflammatory markers in NSTE-ACS and SA patients, neutrophil counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios were significantly correlated with non-calcified plaques. Data suggest that these easily measured biomarkers reflect the burden of vulnerable plaques in CAD.     

Hematologic values of normal Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus): a comparison between wild-caught and laboratory-bred male animals

Complete and differential blood counts were conducted on 23 male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) of Bolivian origin. The sample included 9 laboratory-bred and 14 wild-caught adult monkeys weighing between 600 and 1,500 g. The means of total white blood cell (WBC) counts, total hemoglobin and hematocrits of laboratory-bred animals were found to be significantly different from those of wild-caught monkeys (p less than 0.01). Other hematologic parameters showed no significant differences between the two experimental groups. 3 of 14 (21.0%) wild-caught animals each had 1 reactive lymphocyte and 7% of the same group had 10 nucleated erythrocytes per 100 WBC. No reactive lymphocytes or nucleated erythrocytes were observed in laboratory-bred animals. The importance of these baseline data and the basis for the differences observed between laboratory and wild-caught monkeys are discussed within the context of experimental studies involving primates in which hematologic parameters are valuable.     

Hematologic comparisons of shot and live trapped cottontail rabbits

Comparisons were made between hematologic measurements of shot and box-trapped cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Trapped rabbits had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher serum corticoid levels and segmented neutrophil percentages and significantly (P less than 0.001) lower lymphocyte percentages than did shot rabbits. Trapped rabbits also had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher packed cell volumes and blood urea nitrogen values than did shot rabbits.     

Hematologic, plasma biochemical, and other indicators of the health of Tasmanian platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus): predictors of mucormycosis

The fungal disease mucormycosis has affected Tasmanian platypuses for nearly three decades. We investigated the influences of mucormycosis on the hematologic, plasma biochemical, and other indicators of health in free-living platypuses across 18 Tasmanian river catchments. Live trapping enabled sampling of 161 (apparently) healthy and six ulcerated, mucormycosis-affected platypuses in 75 rivers and streams between January 2008 and June 2009. There were no obvious differences in any hematologic or biochemical measures between healthy and mucormycosis-affected platypuses. However, multivariate analysis revealed that ulceration was associated with living at higher altitudes, low tail fat content (high tail fat index), and low trypanosome load. There was evidence of overall lymphocytosis and monocytosis in animals from areas currently affected by mucormycosis, which suggests that some level of immune response to the introduced fungus is now widespread in disease-affected catchments. Animals from currently, historically, and possibly disease-affected catchments had lower neutrophil counts, mean cell volumes, plasma alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and higher plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and platelet counts compared to animals from catchments with no evidence of infection. Reference intervals were generated for all hematologic and biochemical measurements. Since this is the most comprehensive, systematic, and large-scale assessment of the health of the Tasmanian platypus to date, these references intervals should act as the standard against which future studies of platypuses in Tasmania should be compared.     

Acute administration of the organochalcogen 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenylseleno)oct-2-en-1-one induces biochemical and hematological disorders in male rats

Organochalcogens are extensively produced and employed by industry and agriculture, and the risk of occupational and environmental toxicity to them has been poorly understood. Here, we investigated the acute effect of a new organochalcogen 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(phenylseleno)oct-2-en-1-one on biochemical and hematological parameters in male Wistar rats. The animals were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of the organochalcogen at doses of 125, 250 or 500 μg·kg(-1). After 60 min, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation, and the trunk blood was collected for determination of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein, red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin and white blood cells (WBC). Our results showed a reduction in cholesterol levels in all treated groups, an increase in ALT activity at doses of 250 and 500 μg·kg(-1), a decrease of hemoglobin and an increase in WBC in animals that received 250 and 500 μg·kg(-1) of the organoselenium. In addition, we observed an increase in neutrophil counts at 125 μg·kg(-1) dose and a decrease at 500 μg·kg(-1) dose. We also verified an increase in lymphocyte counts at the dose of 500 μg·kg(-1). Thus, the present study shows that the acute treatment with this new organochalcogen causes biochemical changes and hematological disorders in male rats.