FV blood group and haemoglobin type versus haematological and blood chemical parameters in young Swiss bulls

A relationship between the FV blood group phenotype and 4 out of 45 haematological and blood chemical parameters--red cell number, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and serum iron--has been demonstrated in young bulls of three Swiss cattle breeds. There was also a relationship between haemoglobin type and 7 out of 45 haematological and blood chemical parameters (haemoglobin concentration, red cell number, MCV, MCHC and red cell concentrations of K+ and Na+ and their sum). In addition to expanding the species in which there is an effect of haemoglobin phenotype on MCV to include cattle, these data also demonstrate a significant correlation between their FV phenotype and MCV.     

Red blood cell adrenergic responses in Amazonian teleosts

Erythrocytes from Amazonian teleosts of the Rio Negro were surveyed for the presence of adrenergically mediated Na⁺/H⁺ exchange. Washed red blood cells (RBCs) incubated in HEPES-buffered Cortland saline were stimulated with 10⁻⁴ M L-adrenaline. The adrenergic response was clearly present in two characids, the tambaqui Colossoma macropomom and the jaraqui Semaprochilodus insignis , as demonstrated by a decrease in the pH_c-pH_i gradient across the RBC membrane, an uptake of Na⁺ from the extracellular medium, and RBC swelling. The latter was signalled by increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and decreased mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The response did not occur in two other characids, the black piranha Serrasalmus rhombeus and the aracu Leporinus fasciatus or in two silurid catfish, the piranambu Pinirampus pirinampu and the acari-bodo, armoured catfish, Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus . In acari-bodo, the Na⁺/H⁺ exchange response was similarly lacking under anoxic conditions. Oxygenated/deoxygenated comparisons revealed the presence of a marked Root effect in jaraqui and its absence in acari-bodo. GTP dominated over ATP as the major intracellular phosphate in all six species. There were no significant changes in any nucleoside phosphate (ATP, ADP, AMP, GTP, GDP, or GMP) in response to adrenaline in any species.     

Changes in the nucleotide triphosphate/haemoglobin and nucleotide triphosphate/red cell ratios of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, subjected to prolonged starvation and bleeding

The nucleotide triphosphate/haemoglobin (NTP/Hb) and nucleotide triphosphate/red cell (NTP/cell) ratios of rainbow trout increased during prolonged starvation. A decline was noted in blood lactic acid concentration. Red cell count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit also declined. Changes in mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were found not to be significant. The NTP/Hb and NTP/cell ratios of both fed and starved trout rose seven days following a 15% reduction in blood volume by cardiac puncture. A rise in whole blood NTP concentration was found only in the bleeding response of fed animals. No significant change was noted in blood lactic acid concentration. The decline in haematocrit was significant only in the starved group. In both groups, however, red cell count and blood haemoglobin concentration fell. MCV rose whereas MCHC declined in all bled animals. Changes in MCH were not significant in either group. Negative correlations were noted between red cell count and both the NTP/Hb and NTP/cell ratios and between haemoglobin concentration and the NTP/Hb ratio. Positive correlations were seen between the two ratios and between red cell count and haemoglobin concentration.     

Haematology of swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri. I: blood parameters and light microscopy of blood cells

The main blood parameters of the swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri , were studied. Morphology, granulation staining and cytochemistry of leucocytes in peripheral blood, kidney, spleen and gills were investigated by light microscopy. Blood parameters are similar to other fish species: Red blood cell count (4.5 × 10⁶μl), white blood cell count (15.2 × 10³μl), haema-tocrit (33.8%) haemoglobin (7.8 mg ml⁻¹), MCV (mean corpuscle volume, 75.1 μm³). MCH (mean content of haemoglobin, 17.3 pg), MCHC (mean percentage haemoglobin/erythrocyte, 23.1%/100 ml erythrocytes). Leucocytes can be classified into lymphocytes, thrombocytes, neutrophilic and eosinophilic gra-nulocytes, monocytes macrophages and melanomacrophages.
Morphological and cytochemical features of the cells are described and compared with results from other fish species.     

Seasonal changes in the haematological indices in peripheral blood of chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger L.)

Changes in nine haematological indices in adult female and male chinchilla were investigated over a period of 18 months. All haematological values were in the same range both for females and males, although seasonal fluctuations were more evident in the females. High levels of the red blood cells count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) during the winter months and low levels of these parameters during the summer months were found. The white blood cells count (WBC) and lymphocyte number (L) also decreased in summer, their values increasing during autumn and spring. The haematocrit values (Ht) and mean cell volumes (MCV) are high during the summer and low during the winter.     

Haematological alterations in Rattus norvegicus (Wistar) experimentally infected with Echinostoma paraensei (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae)

Laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) were infected with Echinostoma paraensei (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae). The rodents received 150 metacercariae each and blood samples were collected weekly until the fifth week of infection. The blood samples were analyzed for determination of haematocrit, total red blood cells with their dimensions, haemoglobin and haematimetric index (mean corpuscular volume, MCV; mean corpuscular haemoglobin, MCH; and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, MCHC) and platelets. Red blood cells, haematocrit and haemoglobin in the first week had significantly lower levels than those of uninfected (control) rats, suggesting the development of normocytic and normocromic anaemia with anisocytic alteration. The number of eosinophils did not increase significantly among the groups. We concluded that E. paraensei produces haematological alterations in R. norvegicus, causing regenerative anaemia. This system can therefore be a useful model to study the direct and indirect effects of gastrointestinal infections.     

Effects of confinement stress and additional zinc treatment on some blood parameters in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula

Several blood parameters were studied in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula subjected to different confinement conditions (transport and maintenance) and zinc contamination. Confinement stress significantly decreased erythrocyte counts (RBCC), haematocrit (Ht), haemoglobin (Hb), leucocrit (Lt), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) did not change with this stress and plasma glucose concentration significantly increased. In fish subjected to confinement stress conditions, Zn treatment significantly decreased Hb, MCH and MCHC and plasma glucose concentration. Ht and MCV did not change and Lt and RBCC significantly increased. Results are discussed related to other stress effects and effects of zinc treatment on fish confined in non-stressful conditions.     

Temporal variations in haematological and biochemical indices of the Caspian kutum, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rutilus frisii kutum</Emphasis>

The pattern of haematology and blood biochemistry variations of healthy adult female kutum Rutilus frisii kutum (Cyprinidae) was investigated in the three reproductive states: maturing (autumn), pre-spawning (winter), and spawning (spring). Red blood cells, haemoglobin, and haematocrit were highest in autumn, whereas the highest values for white blood cells, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were observed in winter. With the exception of MCV and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), fish size had no effect on haematological and biochemical parameters. MCV was higher in larger fish, whereas the reverse trend was found for MCHC. Decreased levels of plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride in the pre-spawning period, when female ovaries were developing, may have been due to the combination of reproductive effects and food shortage in winter. Total protein levels were lower during the maturing period than during the pre-spawning period. The results of this study suggest that temporal variations in haematological and biochemical parameters of blood are significant and should be considered when these parameters are used to assess fish health status.     

Effects of sampling on blood parameters in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

The effects of sampling and short-term storage of blood samples on the blood parameters of rainbow trout were evaluated by comparing values obtained from resting fish sampled via cannulae and from fish sampled by cardiac puncture. Sampling stress causes an increase in haematocrit value and a decrease in mean cellular haemoglobin concentration, indicating red cell swelling. These changes are aggravated by consecutive storage of samples. Also, blood ionic balance is affected. The K⁺ concentration of plasma increases and plasma Cl⁻ concentration decreases owing to sampling. During storage the plasma K⁺ concentration decreases far below resting levels in samples taken by cardiac puncture, whereas plasma Cl⁻ level returns to pre-stress levels. Owing to the sampling- and storage-induced changes in blood parameters, care must be taken to ensure that similar sampling procedure is employed throughout to allow reliable comparisons between groups to be made.     

Erythrocytic parameters as indicators for differentiating between the pregnant and pseudopregnant bitches in Nigeria

The erythrocytic parameters during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in bitches were studied and compared in 8 bitches aged 2 -3 years and weighing 10-12 kg. Blood samples were collected from the bitches before mating, during the three trimesters of pregnancy and the post partum period. The packed cell volume (PCV %), haemoglobin concentration (Hb gm/dl), red blood cell count(x106/μl) were determined using standard methods. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were then calculated. Six of the bitches were pregnant and 2 were pseudopregnant. The results showed that in pregnant bitches, the PCV decreased significantly from the premating values of 51.37+0.94% to 34.00+8.04% during the third trimester of pregnancy (P.     

The effects of sublethal concentrations of cadmium on haematological parameters in the dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula

Dogfish were subjected to sublethal cadmium exposure (25 mg l⁻¹) for 24 and 96 h. The effects of this treatment on some blood parameters were analysed. Decreases of haematocrit, leucocrit and mean corpuscular volume and increases of haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were observed after 24-h exposure. Most parameters which had changed values at 24 h returned to control values at 96 h, whereas some parameters which were unchanged at 24 h showed a significant variation at 96 h (plasma glucose and lactate levels). The causes of these alterations and the patterns of recovery are discussed.     

The effect of different dietary iron levels on growth and hepatic iron concentration in juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

An 83-day growth trial was conducted using a flow-through system to examine the effects of different dietary iron levels on growth and hepatic iron concentration in juvenile gibel carp ( Carassius auratus gibelio ). Six purified diets supplemented with different levels of iron (0, 10, 30, 60, 100 and 200 mg kg⁻¹) (as ferrous sulfate) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight 2.12 ± 0.00 g per fish). The results showed that the addition of iron to the basal diet did not significantly affect the specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), survival, red blood cell amount (RBC), hemoglobin content (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) or mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Hepatic iron concentration and hematocrit (Hct) were significantly influenced by dietary iron level (P < 0.05). On the basis of the iron concentration for the maintenance of optimum hepatic iron concentration and Hct, it was concluded that the dietary iron concentration of juvenile gibel carp should be not less than 202 mg Fe kg⁻¹ diet.     

Effect in vivo of atrazine on haematology and O2 consumption in fish, Tilapia mossambica.

Studies were conducted on haematological constituents such as Red blood cells (RBC), White blood cells (WBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Blood volume (BV), Blood water content (BWC) and Whole animal oxygen consumption (WAOC) in the fish exposed to sublethal concentration of atrazine. Significant changes were seen in the constituents of the blood and O2 consumption of fish suggesting the existence of respiratory distress in the fish as a consequence of atrazine toxicity.     

Some age related changes of adult rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Rich., peripheral erythrocytes separated by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity

Velocity sedimentation at unit gravity separated peripheral erythrocytes of adult rainbow trout according to age and size. The cells located at the top of the gradient contained numerous polyribosomes, few mitochondria and an essentially electronlucent nucleus. The cells at the bottom of the gradient no longer contained these cytoplasmic organelles and had an essentially electron-dense nucleus. The middle of the gradient contained cells with either very few polyribosomes or cells devoid of this organelle.
The length, width and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the average cell increased and the width to length ratio decreased progressively from the top of the gradient to the bottom.
No Statistical significance could be determined in the changes of the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) although they appeared to follow theoretical projections.
The use of haematocrit, red cell count, haemoglobin concentration, MCV, MCH and MCHC in assessing erythropoietic activity and the size and haemoglobin content of the maturing cell is discussed.     

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.     

Umbilical blood flow and the effects of premature severance in the neonatal horse

Thirteen randomly assigned Quarter Horse foals were used in a study to determine the presence of umbilical blood flow immediately post partum and to determine if premature severance of the umbilical cord would alter significantly the hematology of the horse neonate. Packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), red blood cell count (RBC), plasma protein (PP), and heart and respiratory rates were determined every 30 min for the first 6 h of life for both control and treated foals. Control foals had their umbilical cords measured for the presence of umbilical blood flow. Treated foals had their umbilical cords separated after birth and any free flow of blood collected and a volume measure determined. The umbilicus was separated within 10 sec post partum.No blood flow was detected in the control group of foals within 2 min post partum. The blood obtained from the separated umbilicus of the treatment group measured less than 125 cc. PCV, MCV, MCHC, Hgb, RBC, and PP were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Except for MCHC and PP, all parameters studied decreased over the first 6 h of life. Heart rate and respiration rates did not significantly differ from each other (P > 0.05) and decreased over the first 6 h of life.     

Seasonal variation in blood components of reared Baltic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Ranges in the means of blood measurements from 121 Baltic salmon taken on nine occasions spread over an annual cycle were: packed cell volume or haematocrit; blood haemoglobin; red blood cell counts including immature erythrocytes; mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration; mean cellular haemoglobin content and mean cellular volume. Seasonal changes appeared in all blood variables. Ontogenetic differences occurred in RBC and mean cellular volume when comparing 1 + parr with 2 + smolts in August one year apart, and in haemoglobin, RBC and immature RBC when comparing 1 + parr with adults once in November 1976. This points to greater influence upon haematological variation by season than by age. Significant regressions found within age groups, between pairs of mutually independent blood variables, are presented.     

Haematological parameters in a neotropical fish, Corydoras paleatus (Jenyns, 1842) (Pisces, Callichthyidae), captured from pristine and polluted water

We report normal ranges of haematological indices in healthy Corydoras paleatus from an unpolluted area. Haematological parameters studied include: erythrocyte counts (Er), haematocrit (Ht), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Normal red blood parameters did not change according to maturation stages, sex or seasons. Then, we compared them with those coming from fish captured in a site polluted by sewage. Fish exposed to pollution presented significantly higher values of Er, Ht, Hb, MCH and MCHC than those captured in an unpolluted area. Discriminant analysis showed that Hb is a key parameter to point out differences between populations exposed to different environmental conditions. We suggest that haematological values of C. paleatus, registered during this study, could be used as biomarkers in future works evaluating the incidence of environmental stress on fish as well as pointing out changes in the water quality.     

Normal ranges of some blood chemistry parameters in adult farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Blood samples from healthy adult Atlantic salmon fed an optimal diet in net sea pens were collected at intervals from October to May. Haematological determinations and biochemical serum analyses were carried out on 20 fish in each of seven samples. The ranges of haemato-logical values for sample means were: haematocrit 44–49%, haemoglobin 8.9–10.4 g 100ml⁻¹, red blood cell count 0.85–1.10 × 10¹² l⁻¹, MCV 441–553 × 10⁻¹⁵ 1, MCH 94–106 × 10⁻⁶ g, MCHC 19.4–21.7 g 100ml⁻¹ and leucocrit 0.43–0.96%. The ranges of enzyme activities in serum, for sample means, were: alkaline phosphatase 647–988Ul⁻¹, aspartate aminotrans-ferase 202–351 Ul⁻¹ and alanine aminotransferase 4–8 Ul⁻¹. The ranges of the other parameters analyzed in serum were: total protein 41.6–56.6 gl⁻¹, albumin 18.3–24.3 gl⁻¹, albumin/total protein ratio 39.3–44.0%, creatinine 26–46 μmol, triglycerides 2.53–4.98 μmol and cholesterol 9.3–12.8 μmol. These values are considered to be the normal ranges in healthy fish. Variations due to seasonal changes, and the clinical significance of the selected parameters, are discussed. Data showing the reproducibility of the biochemical analyses in serum are presented.     

甘肃鼢鼠血象及其与低氧适应的关系

甘肃鼢鼠(Myospalax cansus)是一种严格营地下生活的鼠类,其形态、行为及生理特征均与地面鼠不同。为探讨甘肃鼢鼠适应低氧环境的机理,本研究采用血象指标测定方法,对甘肃鼢鼠低氧适应前后的红细胞数、血红蛋白浓度、红细胞压积等各血象指标进行测定。结果显示,甘肃鼢鼠低氧适应后红细胞数、血红蛋白浓度和红细胞压积均显著升高,而平均红细胞体积、平均红细胞血红蛋白及平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度明显下降。与地面生活的啮齿动物低氧适应后血象相比,甘肃鼢鼠红细胞数量多,红细胞压积大,血红蛋白浓度高,红细胞膜表面积大,血红蛋白的利用率较高,可能是对低氧环境适应的一种途径。