Basic haematological values in the Cameroon goat (Capra hircus)

1. Basic haematological values in 165 Cameroon goats (Capra hircus) are reported. 2. The erythrocyte count, mean 14.36 x 10(12) l-1, ranged from 8.24 to 24.7 x 10(12) l-1; the haematocrit values, mean 0.304, varied from 0.20 to 0.38; the haemoglobin content, mean 113.4 g/l, was in the range from 83.0 to 143.0 g/l and the leukocyte count, mean 13.67 x 10(9) l-1, had lowest and highest values between 5.4 and 24.5 x 10(9) l-1. 3. Comparing these blood constituents in 47 male and 118 female Cameroon goats we demonstrated statistically significant lower values of the haematocrit and haemoglobin content and a statistically significant higher proportion of lymphocytes in the female animals. 4. In 16 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant female Cameroon goats, all animals older than 3 years, no statistically significant differences of the red blood picture were noted. 5. Also in three groups, assorted according to age, no significant changes in basic haematological parameters were seen. 6. During one year follow-up of some haematological parameters, statistically significant seasonal changes were found. 7. All presented data are compared with values abstracted from the literature and discussed.     

Some blood parameters of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson)

Fifty rainbow trout of the Kamloops strain were examined for 12 haematological parameters: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, erythrocyte diameters, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, plasma total protein and plasma glucose concentration. The fish had been held under known environmental and dietetic conditions, and at the time of sampling were 14 months old. The majority of results for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, erythrocyte diameters, total protein and differential leukocyte count fell within narrow ranges. The total leukocyte counts and glucose levels were more widely spread. The results are discussed and compared with those already published for Idaho and Shasta strains. It is impossible to say whether the differences that were observed between Kamloops and these other varieties were due to strain alone, since other variables were present. Some problems associated with establishing normal ranges for these parameters in fish are discussed.     

Time-dependent influence of some sedating agents on basic haematological values in various artio- and perissodactylids

Basic haematological values in 32 animals of five species were estimated after administration of sedating agents. In all species under investigation, a time-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts, haematocrit values and haemoglobin content was noted during the first 30 min after sedation, for the following 30 min the lowered values remained essentially without any change in zebras. Derived parameters, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular Hb concentration and mean corpuscular volume did not change during the period of observation. Only insignificant changes in leukocyte count and in the proportion of lymphocytes and neutrophiles were registered. The shortest possible time between sedation and blood sampling is recommended to minimalize a distortion especially in the red blood picture.     

Basic haematological values in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) and in the red buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus)

Basic haematological values in 13 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer caffer), 11 cows and 2 bulls, and in 2 red buffaloes (Syncerus caffer nanus), 1 bull and 1 cow, are reported. In the African buffalo, the erythrocyte count--mean 9.76 X 10(12) 1(-1)--ranged from 6.72 to 12.42 X 10(12) 1(-1), the haematocrit values--mean 0.391--varied from 0.32 to 0.47 and the haemoglobin content--mean 148.17--was in the range from 122.1 to 172.5 g 1(-1). For the red buffalo only individual values are given. In the African buffaloes, the leukocyte counts--mean 7.39 X 10(9) 1(-1)--ranging from 5.1 to 12.4 X 10(9) 1(-1) were slightly increased compared with man. For the red buffalo only individual values are reported. These values are compared with data abstracted from the literature for related buffalo species. The age-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts and the age-dependent rise of the eosinophile proportion in the differential count are discussed.     

Haematology and serum biochemistry of captive unsedated chital deer (Axis axis) in Australia

Haematological and serum biochemical values were measured in blood samples collected over a 12-mo period from 37 unsedated chital deer (Axis axis). Stags and hinds, ranging in age from birth to maturity, were sampled. Haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and haematocrit values were low at birth and sex differences were not apparent in neonates and juveniles, but were in adults. Chital stags had higher erythrocyte parameters (P less than 0.001) and lower erythrocyte indices than hinds, and the total leucocyte count was higher in stags (P less than 0.01). Some parameters (erythrocytes, muscle enzymes, glucose, cortisol) decreased over successive serial sampling. The differential leucocyte count of older stags decreased during the initial handling period. The major rutting period in February and March was characterised by changes in the differential leucocyte count, elevations in serum muscle enzymes, and lower serum cortisol levels. Alkaline phosphatase activity in serum reflected the annual antler cycle of chital stags. Serial sampling over many weeks, either weekly or tri-weekly, produced haematological and biochemical changes in successive samples which may have reflected a reduction in stress and excitement associated with restraint.     

RNA synthesis in maturing avian erythrocyte nuclei

The rate of RNA synthesis and its inhibition by α-amanitin in the nuclei of mature and immature avian erythrocytes are increased with the increase in ionic strength of incubation medium. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that heterogeneous species of RNAs are synthesised in the mature and immature erythrocyte nuclei. However, a large number of high molecular weight RNAs are synthesised in the nuclei of immature erythrocytes. Elution profiles on poly(U)-sepharose chromatography indicate that the RNAs synthesised in the nuclei of two types of cell contain poly(A) segments. Sixteen per cent of mature erythrocyte nuclear RNA syntbesised are polyadenylated, while it is 13% in immature erythrocyte nuclei. However, the total RNA synthesised is 2–3 fold higher in immature erythrocyte nuclei than that in mature erythrocyte nuclei.     

濒危鱼类稀有白甲鱼外周血细胞特征

为了研究濒危鱼类稀有白甲鱼（Onychostoma rara）外周血细胞的特征,以采自长江中游沅江水系清水江共计21尾稀有白甲鱼的血液为材料,采用常规方法对稀有白甲鱼外周血细胞的组成、形态、大小和数量进行了观测。结果显示,稀有白甲鱼红细胞数量为（1.75±0.44）×106 个/ L,白细胞数量为（4.91±1.95）×105 个/ L。在血涂片上共计观察到了5种白细胞,包括淋巴细胞、血栓细胞、单核细胞、嗜中性粒细胞和嗜酸性粒细胞,没有发现嗜碱性粒细胞。其5种白细胞数量比例差异较大,其数量比例关系为：淋巴细胞>血栓细胞>嗜中性粒细胞>单核细胞>嗜酸性粒细胞。这5种白细胞的大小也有所不同,其大小关系为：单核细胞>嗜中性粒细胞>嗜酸性粒细胞>淋巴细胞>血栓细胞。与已报道的鱼类相比,稀有白甲鱼白细胞的数量明显较高,红细胞数量较多、体积相对较小,可能与其适应流水生活相关。     

Does habitat fragmentation cause stress in the agile antechinus? A haematological approach

Although the vertebrate stress response is essential for survival, frequent or prolonged stress responses can result in chronic physiological stress, which is associated with a suite of conditions that can impair survivorship and reproductive output. Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and degradation are potential stressors of free-living vertebrates, and in theory could result in chronic stress. To address this issue, we compared haematological indicators of stress and condition in agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis) populations in 30 forest fragments and 30 undisturbed, continuous forest sites (pseudofragments) in south-eastern Australia over 2 years. In peripheral blood, the total leucocyte count was lower and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and percentage of eosinophils in the total leucocyte population was higher in fragment than pseudofragment populations, indicating that fragment populations were probably experiencing higher levels of stress hormone-mediated and/or parasite infection-related chronic physiological stress. The total erythrocyte count and haematocrit were higher and mean erythrocyte haemoglobin content was lower in fragment than pseudofragment populations. This suggests that fragment populations showed possible signs of regenerative anaemia, a syndrome associated with elevated hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis mediated stress. However, mean erythrocyte volume was also lower in fragments, and red blood cell distribution width did not differ between the study populations, findings which were not consistent with this diagnosis. Whole blood and mean cell haemoglobin concentrations were similar in fragment and pseudofragment populations. We suggest that where anthropogenic activity results in habitat fragmentation and degradation, chronic stress could contribute to a decline in agile antechinus populations. The broader implication is that chronic stress could be both symptomatic of, and contributing to, decline of some vertebrate populations in anthropogenically fragmented and degraded habitats.     

Haematological changes in fish following aerial spraying with endosulfan insecticide for testse fly control in Botswana

Endosulfan, an insecticide highly toxic to fish, is currently applied from the air for tsetse fly control in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Although dosages are very ow (6–12 g a.i. ha⁻¹), they cause some fish mortality and affects the behaviour of survivors. In order to determine how quickly fish recover from sublethal poisoning, four haematological characteristics (erythrocyte count, leucocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and plasma protein concentration) were monitored in several species during and after six sequential applications of endosulfan (July–October 1978). In all cases, blood cel counts were significantly elevated during spraying (by up to a factor of four), while plasma protein levels were often disturbed. Total haemogobin (Hb) did not change, but the mean weight of Hb per erythrocyte declined significantly in Tilapia spp. from 59 to 39 pg. Im most instances these quantities began returning to normal before spraying ceased and reached prespray levels within six months.     

Haematological and serum biochemical reference values of snow trout,Schizothorax labiatus habiting in river Sindh of Indian Himalayan region

Haematological and serum biochemical parameters are a valuable tool in determining the wellbeing status of different fish species and response in close association to various biological and environmental factors, therefore the aim of the present study was to establish sex-wise reference values of haemato-biochemical parameters of S. labiatus. The haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total erythrocyte count (RBC), total leucocyte count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and serum biochemical parameters such as glucose, cholesterol, urea, total protein, albumin and globulin were analysed. The results revealed that the haematological parameters, i.e., Hb, RBC, WBC and PCV showed significant (P < 0.05) differences with respect to sex. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher values of Hb content (11.18 g dl⁻¹), RBC count (1.88 × 10⁶ mm⁻³) and PCV (36.15%) were noted in male fish than females throughout the study period, while significantly (P < 0.05) higher WBC count was noted in females (20.38 × 10³ mm⁻³) compared to males. However, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in erythrocyte indices like MCH, MCHC and MCV between sexes. The serum biochemical parameters, i.e., glucose, cholesterol and urea, also showed significant (P < 0.05) difference between the sexes, but no significant (P > 0.05) difference was noticed in total protein, albumin and globulin. Significantly (P < 0.05) highest values of glucose (116.76 mg dl⁻¹) and urea (9.01 mg dl⁻¹) were recorded in male S. labiatus, while highest value of cholesterol (223.53 mg dl⁻¹) was noted in females. The information generated in the present study gives the basic reference values of haematological and serum biochemical parameters of S. labiatus which will be useful in monitoring the wellbeing status of fish populations. Moreover, the data will also be helpful to ascertain the occurrence of different clinical and subclinical diseases, which may in turn help to boost the overall production of this species.     

The haematology of gynogenic tench, Tinca tinca L., and of recessively homozygous colour tench strains

Two wild‐coloured strains of tench (the first meiotic gynogenic generation MeiG₁, and their control diploid half siblings) and three recessively homozygous colour strains (golden, blue and alampic) were examined for the determination of basic haematological indices. The MeiG₁ strain had higher erythrocyte counts than diploid controls or the blue and alampic strains (P < 0.001), and had a higher blood haemoglobin content than all three colour strains (P < 0.001). No differences were detected among strains for haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, or mean corpuscular volume. Both the lowest leucocyte count (P < 0.001) and leucocrit value (P < 0.001) were found in the alampic tench, and may result from a negative pleiotropic effect of this recessive homozygous genotype (bbgg). In agreement with previous findings in tench, the differential leucocyte count revealed lymphocytes to be the dominating white blood cells; their rate was about 90% in both the wild‐coloured and blue strains, and less in the other two strains (83–84%). Neutrophil granulocytes were most abundant in the MeiG₁ strain. Eosinophil granulocytes were detected only in the golden strain, and were not common (0.2%).     

Increased Microerythrocyte Count in Homozygous ��+-Thalassaemia Contributes to Protection against Severe Malarial Anaemia

Background

The heritable haemoglobinopathy α⁺-thalassaemia is caused by the reduced synthesis of α-globin chains that form part of normal adult haemoglobin (Hb). Individuals homozygous for α⁺-thalassaemia have microcytosis and an increased erythrocyte count. α⁺-Thalassaemia homozygosity confers considerable protection against severe malaria, including severe malarial anaemia (SMA) (Hb concentration < 50 g/l), but does not influence parasite count. We tested the hypothesis that the erythrocyte indices associated with α⁺-thalassaemia homozygosity provide a haematological benefit during acute malaria.

Methods and Findings

Data from children living on the north coast of Papua New Guinea who had participated in a case-control study of the protection afforded by α⁺-thalassaemia against severe malaria were reanalysed to assess the genotype-specific reduction in erythrocyte count and Hb levels associated with acute malarial disease. We observed a reduction in median erythrocyte count of ∼1.5 × 10¹²/l in all children with acute falciparum malaria relative to values in community children (p < 0.001). We developed a simple mathematical model of the linear relationship between Hb concentration and erythrocyte count. This model predicted that children homozygous for α⁺-thalassaemia lose less Hb than children of normal genotype for a reduction in erythrocyte count of >1.1 × 10¹²/l as a result of the reduced mean cell Hb in homozygous α⁺-thalassaemia. In addition, children homozygous for α⁺-thalassaemia require a 10% greater reduction in erythrocyte count than children of normal genotype (p = 0.02) for Hb concentration to fall to 50 g/l, the cutoff for SMA. We estimated that the haematological profile in children homozygous for α⁺-thalassaemia reduces the risk of SMA during acute malaria compared to children of normal genotype (relative risk 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24–1.12, p = 0.09).

Conclusions

The increased erythrocyte count and microcytosis in children homozygous for α⁺-thalassaemia may contribute substantially to their protection against SMA. A lower concentration of Hb per erythrocyte and a larger population of erythrocytes may be a biologically advantageous strategy against the significant reduction in erythrocyte count that occurs during acute infection with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This haematological profile may reduce the risk of anaemia by other Plasmodium species, as well as other causes of anaemia. Other host polymorphisms that induce an increased erythrocyte count and microcytosis may confer a similar advantage.     

Effect of radiation on some haematological parameters and its modification by vitamin E in chicks.

White leghorn male chicks of 1 and 7 day age groups were studied for acute (2.25 Gy) gamma radiation (with or without vit. E pretreatment) induced haematological changes in the peripheral blood at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 postirradiation. A continuous decrease in the erythrocyte numbers was observed in the animals irradiated without vit. E treatment. The changes in haematocrit, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH and MCHC values were in line with the erythrocytic changes reflecting radiation induced damage to the erythroid elements. Animals pretreated with vit. E show lesser depression in the erythrocytic component at all the stages indicating its radio-protective influence. The significant increase in the immature RBC's in the peripheral blood in vit. E treated animals after irradiation, implies enhanced erythropoiesis.     

Effect of storage time on haematological parameters in mullet,Mugil cephalus

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of storage time at +4 °C on red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), thrombocyte count (TC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in mullet (Mugil cephalus) using an automatic method. After blood collection (T₀), all samples were analyzed using both the manual and automatic method. To test the validation of the automatic method, a paired t‐test was applied, and no statistical difference was observed. The samples were successively divided into four different aliquots and stored at +4 °C to assess the haematological parameters using the automatic method. The first aliquot was refrigerated for 6 h, the second one for 24 h, the third one for 48 h and the last one at for 72 h. One‐way repeated‐measures ANOVA showed a significant effect of storage time (P < 0.05) on Hb, WBC, TC, MCH and MCHC. These results suggest that haematological parameters can be assessed within 6 h from blood collection when samples are stored at +4 °C because long‐term storage modifies the results of the analyses. Further studies on these parameters could be still needed in various fish species to validate an appropriate method for haematological analysis useful not only for the evaluation of the health status of animal living in captivity and in aquaculture but also to have reliability environmental haematological biomarkers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ethological and haematological response of catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis,exposed to exogenous urea

Exposure of the airbreathing catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis to a sublethal concentration (200 mg/l) of urea resulted in blanching of skin, increased mucus secretion, hyperexcitability and higher rate of surfacing and gill ventilation. These changes were more pronounced during the first eight days of exposure as compared to the later period. A progressive increase in haematocrit, erythrocyte count, percentage of immature erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed during the 20 day exposure period. White blood cell-thrombocyte count registered a sharp decline initially upto 6 days but steadily increased afterwards. Initial decrease in the total leucocyte count was found to be mainly due to the decline in the number of lymphocytes and thrombocytes while the percentage of granulocytes (neutrophils and eosinophils) and monocytes showed a reverse trend.     

Extremely high MHC class I variation in a population of a long-distance migrant,the Scarlet Rosefinch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carpodacus erythrinus</Emphasis>)

Although the number of studies focusing on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in non-model vertebrates is increasing, results are often contradictory, and the structure of MHC is still poorly understood in wild species. Here, we describe the structure and diversity of exon 3 of MHC class I in a passerine bird, the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus). Using capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism, we identified 82 different MHC class I variants in one Rosefinch population nesting at one site in the Czech Republic. Thus far, this is the highest intra-populational MHC class I variation observed in birds. We have not found support for ‘minimal essential’ MHC in this species since individuals exhibited between three and nine different exon 3 sequences, indicating that there may be at least five amplified MHC class I genes. By cloning, we obtained and analysed 29 exon sequences and found that all of them could be translated into potentially functional proteins. We also show that strong positive selection appears to be acting mainly, but not only, on previously described antigen-binding sites in MHC class I genes. Furthermore, our results indicate that recombination has played an important role in generating genetic diversity of these genes in the Scarlet Rosefinch; we discuss the significance of this extremely high genetic diversity in light of the life history traits of this species, such as long-distance migration. The sequence data described in this paper are accessible in GenBank data library under accession numbers FJ392762–FJ392790.     

Effects of elevated parameters of subclinical ketosis on the immune system of dairy cows: in vivo and in vitro results

Using an established model in which subclinical ketosis is induced, the response of differential blood counts and levels of various haematological variables, including the inflammatory marker haptoglobin (Hp), were tested over the last six weeks of parturition until the 56th day post-partum in cows with lower or higher body condition scores (LBC and HBC, respectively; n = 9/group). Animals in the HBC group evidenced subclinical ketosis whereas LBC animals were metabolically healthy. For in vitro examination with ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as a further stimulus, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) counts of cows with and without subclinical ketosis (n = 5/group) were observed. Counts of leucocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes (LY) peaked at day 1 post-partum in HBC cows, with a more marked increase in heifers. In subclinical ketosis LY count increased again, with significantly higher values in the HBC group. The red blood cell (RBC) profile was affected by parity (counts were higher in heifers). Hp showed a positive linear correlation with BHB and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; R² = 0.41). PBMC from cows that were not pre-stressed with subclinical ketosis were more sensitive to increasing levels of BHB in vitro, as evidenced by both their higher proliferative capability and increased release of nitric oxide (NO). In summary, cows with subclinical ketosis showed a heightened immune response compared with metabolically healthy individuals, based on increased LY counts, increasing stimulative properties of PBMC and a relationship between Hp and typically increased values of BHB and NEFA. Concentrations of BHB in vivo during subclinical ketosis did not alter the proliferative capability of bovine PBMC in vitro, which was first significantly decreased at a dosage of 5 mM BHB.     

The effects of anticoagulants on hematological indices and blood cell morphology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Hematological parameters (Ht, Hb, RBC, WBC, PLT), erythrocyte size, and osmotic fragility, differential leukocyte count, ROS production in common carp blood collected on three anticoagulants: heparin (10 IU/mL, Na2EDTA (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL), and sodium citrate (0.3 mg/mL) were compared. Na2EDTA caused partial blood hemolysis in Ht tubes which made Ht measurement impossible, and resulted in high variability of the results. Both, citrate and Na2EDTA increased sensitivity of red blood cells to hemolysis. Na2EDTA also induced erythrocyte anisocytosis and anisonucleosis. Na2EDTA significantly increased ROS production but no effect of anticoagulants on WBC, PLT or differential leukocyte count was observed. The obtained results show that Na2EDTA should not be used for evaluation of red blood cell parameters and erythrocyte morphology, and for ROS production measurement in common carp. Heparin proved to be the most appropriate anticoagulant to use for this species, although Na2EDTA and sodium citrate may be used for WBC and leukocyte differential count evaluations.