Morphological, ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics of blood cells, hematology and blood chemistry of Adult Yello-headed Temple Turtles (Hieremys annandalii)
Abstract:
Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 20 male and 20 female adult yellow-headed temple turtles. The average total red blood cell count was 4x106 cells/ µL. And the average total white blood cell count was11.66+6.59 x 103 cells/µL. The results of this study indicated that their white blood cells can be classified into 5 catagories, namely, heterophil (29.40+6.88%), eosinophil (23.69+5.30%), basophil (21.23+1.90%), lymphocytes (14.81+5.88%), and monocytic-like azurophils (10.73+5.29%), respectively. Red blood cells stained dark red by peroxidase. Thrombocytes consisted of various morphologies and staining, therefore, periodic acid-schiff stain could not be used to differentiate thrombocytes from lymphocytes. The electronmicroscopic structure was also similar to the mammals thrombocytes. Heterophils and eosinophils had similar in structure and cytochemical staining to other turtles and reptiles. Basophils structure was similar to avian. Lymphocytes and monocytic-like azurophils had similar staining and morphology to mammals. In male turtles, MCHC values, total monocytic-like azurophils, and ALT levels were significantly higher than that of female turtles (P<0.05). MCV value of male turtles had a negative relationship with body weight. The yellow-headed temple turtles with Hemogregarine infection had a significantly higher AST value (p<0.05) than normal turtles. But there was no difference in other blood values. In sick yellow-headed temple turtles with shell trauma, and edema showed marked erythropenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, hyperuricaemia, hyperglobulinemia and hypercalcemia. These findings indicated anemia, chronic infections and malnutrition. The information from this study may contribute to the success in management, disease treatment, and health recovery for the conservation purposes of yellow-headed temple turtle populations in Thailand in the future