Hematological and plasma chemistry values for the African rock python (Python sebae (original) (raw)
Related papers
Comparative Clinical Pathology
Blood analyte data are useful in health assessments and management of reptiles. There is a knowledge gap for blood analyte data of the endangered Louisiana pine snake (LPS; Pituophis ruthveni). The objectives of this study were to provide baseline hematology, plasma biochemical, and hormone data of captive LPS, to compare the data in juvenile and adult snakes and in adult snakes by sex, and to investigate methodological differences in hormone (serum vs. plasma) and protein analyses (total solids versus total protein). Blood samples from apparently healthy captive LPS were analyzed for hematology and plasma biochemistry (n = 11) and plasma and serum hormone analyses (n = 9). Packed cell volume (PCV) and absolute heterophils were significantly higher in adult compared with juvenile LPS, while PCV, white blood cell count, and absolute lymphocytes were higher in adult males compared with adult females. Significantly higher plasma concentrations were found in adults compared with juveniles for calcium, total protein, total solids, albumin, globulins, and bile acids. No significant differences were observed in 17β-estradiol measured in serum and plasma when comparing adults and juveniles and for 17β-estradiol in adult males and females. Plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol were significantly lower than in serum. Serum testosterone in two adult males was 8.33 and 35.53 nmol/L, respectively, while it was undetectable in females and juveniles (n = 5). This study is the first to provide baseline information on blood analytes in endangered LPS, which will be useful for individual animals in managed care and as baseline for future population-level assessments.
Animals
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a hematological test that can detect inflammatory activity within the body. Although not specific for any particular disease, ESR is often used as a screening “sickness indicator” due to its reliability and low cost. The Westergren method is a manual ESR technique commonly used but requires special graduated pipettes and over 1mL of whole blood, precluding its use in smaller patients where limited sample volumes can be obtained. A modified micro-ESR technique has been described using hematocrit capillary tubes but is used less commonly. ESR has been reported to be a useful inflammatory indicator in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and box turtles (Terrapene spp.) but not in Florida cottonmouth snakes (Agkistrodon conanti). Having an inexpensive screening test for inflammation can help guide medical decisions within conservation efforts of imperiled species. This study evaluated the correlation between these two ESR methodologies in threa...
Hematology and plasma biochemistry of wild-caught Indian cobra Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758)
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 2014
Background: Hematology and plasma biochemistry parameters are useful in the assessment and management of snake physiological status. Although reference ranges are readily available for many snake species, they are lacking for most venomous ophidians. We determined hematology and plasma biochemistry reference ranges for the wild-caught Indian cobra, Naja naja. Results: Blood samples, taken from the ventral tail vein, were assessed for erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, considering the sex of snakes. Results revealed the erythrocyte numbers (male, 390000 ± 12503.33/mm 3 and female, 347500 ± 7505.55/mm 3), shapes and the centrally located oval nuclei. Leukocytes were round, circular or disk-shaped, and the mean size was larger in male than female snakes. The maximum number of leukocytes was found to be 11700 ± 100/mm 3 in male and 12100 ± 200/mm 3 in female snakes, and mean values of differential leukocyte count differed statistically between male and female snakes. The total leukocyte levels were found to be higher in female snakes, but the levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV values were higher in male snakes. However, the MCH and MCHC values remained higher in female snakes throughout the study period. Mean protein and cholesterol contents differed significantly between male (45.32 ± 1.76 and 3.76 ± 0.06 mg/mL) and female (12.47 ± 0.82 and 4.72 ± 0.2 mg/mL) snakes. Conclusions: In conclusion, monitoring snake hematological and biochemical parameters can serve as a means to evaluate the physiological and health status of N. naja populations, which may be a useful indicator of their environmental status.
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 2011
Twenty-six (one to six years of age) Chinese water dragons, Physignathus cocincinus, from two different captive populations, Massachusetts (MA) and Mississippi (MS), were selected for this study. The lizards were given a thorough examination, and a blood sample was collected for a complete blood count (CBC) and plasma biochemistry. Whole blood was stored in both lithium heparin and Ca-EDTA; Ca-EDTA was considered the superior anticoagulant based on multiple paired samples. The packed cell volume (PCV) for the water dragons was 32-40%. The lymphocyte was the most common cell found on the CBC. There were significant differences in the plasma uric acid (MS: 2.3; MA 6.0; p=0.001) and phosphorus (MS: 5.7, MA:7.1; p=0.04) concentrations between the two populations. Younger dragons (<2 yr of age) were more likely to have higher plasma uric acid concentrations (<2 yr: 3.4, >3 yr: 2.3, p=0.01) than dragons > 3 yr of age. There were no significant differences in the biochemistries based on the origin (wild-caught vs. captive bred) of the lizards or between genders. Overall, the dragons in this study were clinically healthy, and the reference range established from these two populations may be used as a basis for comparison in clinical cases.
Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and erythrocyte sizes for captive African rock pythons (Python sebae)
Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2019
The aim of the experiment was to determine the erythrocyte sizes and osmotic fragility index of the African rock python in a transitional zone. Ten African rock pythons (ARPs) were used as experimental animals. Blood samples were obtained from captive ARP by venepuncture of the ventral coccygeal vein. Erythrocyte counts, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte sizes were determined. Erythrocytes obtained from each snake were added into saline solution of different NaCl concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 g/100 mL, respectively. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility index was determined spectrophotometrically. Mean erythrocyte size was 76.9 ± 10.2 μm and nucleus size was 9.1 ± 2.4 μm. The mean erythrocyte count obtained was 3.3 ± 0.6 × 1012/L, the mean packed cell volume obtained was 24.0 ± 2.9%, and the mean corpuscular volume was 76.4 ± 4.9 fl. The percentage haemolysis increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.3 g/100 mL NaCl concentration with the value of 79.9 ± 5.6%. The result of this finding adds to already available haematological data of the ARP and also showed that their erythrocyte may be extremely fragile. More research should be done on the effect of antioxidants in improving erythrocyte fragility of ARPs in the region.
Zoological Studies, 2013
Background: Hematological and biochemical analyses of blood can be of great importance for studying the biology of species and determining the health status of animals in both the wild and captivity. In order to determine baseline ranges for the nose-horned viper Vipera ammodytes, we determined the blood cell morphology and measured 20 hematological and 5 biochemical variables from the blood samples taken from 31 (17 males and 14 females) healthy specimens of nose-horned viper caught in the wild at the beginning of autumn. Results: Most of the measured parameters and blood cell morphology were similar to those reported for other reptile species. The males showed a significantly higher eosinophil count and higher mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and MCH concentration values, while the females had a significantly higher mature erythrocyte count. The erythrocyte differential counts showed balanced hematopoiesis in this part of the annual cycle. Conclusions: We suggest that these results can be used as a baseline for determining hematological values and blood cell morphology for V. ammodytes, as well as in further studies including monitoring and determination of the health status of this species, especially of animals kept in captivity for antiserum production. This is the most complete report regarding hematological parameters of this endangered snake species.
Veterinary clinical pathology / American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology, 2016
The reptilian immune system is represented by innate, humoral, and cell-mediated mechanisms, involving different types of blood leukocytes. The development of optimized methods for the advanced study of origin and function of reptilian blood leukocytes is needed. The purpose of the study was to optimize leukocyte density gradient isolation protocols from snake peripheral blood samples, and characterize recovered cells by flow cytometry based on size and internal complexity for a qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of leukocyte populations in one boa (Boa constrictor), and 2 viper species (Bothrops jararaca, Crotalus durissus). Blood samples from 30 snakes (10 from each species, 5 males and 5 females) were collected in tubes with sodium heparin. Fresh blood was centrifuged with either ficoll-paque PLUS or percoll density gradients for leukocyte isolation. Flow cytometric leukocyte gates were defined based on size (forward scatter [FSC]) and internal complexity (side scatter ...
Blood samples were taken from 180 healthy specimens of South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) kept in captivity. The red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit value, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) obtained were within the normal values reported for other Crotalid, Viperid and Elapid species. Total leucocyte (WBC) counts were within the range described in other ophidian species. No significant changes were observed as a function of sex and age. The period of the year (seasonal variation) was the only factor which had a significant influence on the haematological parameters. RBC counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, MCV, MCH and MCHC were 17-30% higher during wintertime (p<0.01), whereas the WBC and thrombocyte counts were 15-20% higher (p<0.01) during the summer.
Hematological and plasma biochemical parameter venomous snakes Thailand
Reference values were established for some plasma biochemical and hematological profiles of venomous snakes in Thailand. The studies were performed on three groups of adult, captive born elapids, including 20 Siamese cobra, Naja kaouthia; 20 king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah; and 9 Malayan krait, Bungarus candidus. The study parameters included complete blood count, plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), plasma creatinine, uric acid, total protein, and sodium, potassium, and chloride ions. The results obtained were compared among groups of snakes. Comparative studies among groups showed statistical significant differences of some parameters among species including heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, AST, ALP, creatinine, and potassium and chloride ion levels. The differences of these parameters indicate the necessity of establishing referential data for hematological and biochemical parameters in venomous snakes. The results obtained will be useful in routine diagnostics as the hematological and metabolic profiles of venomous snakes.
Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 2013
Health surveys and hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses were conducted in 52 free-ranging and 51 captive Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) in Campeche, Mexico, March-September 2007. Blood samples from 92 crocodiles (45 free-ranging and 47 captive) were collected for hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses. Average values of erythrocytes of freeranging crocodiles were 1,046,166 cells/ml, and total white cells were 1.03310 4 cells/ml. Captive crocodiles had erythrocyte and leukocyte values of 1,100,416 cells/ml and 8.51310 3 cells/ml, respectively. There were no significant differences in values of erythrocytes or in hematocrit between free-ranging and captive crocodiles, or between sexes, or among size classes. Counts of leukocytes in free-ranging crocodiles were significantly higher than in captive individuals. The mean values of plasma analytes were 69.55 mg/l (glucose), 250.14 mg/l (cholesterol), 3.04 mg/l (uric acid), 2.70 mg/l (creatinine), and 20.20 IU/l (alanine aminotransferase). There were significant differences in cholesterol between free-ranging and captive crocodiles and between sexes.