Original scientific paper

Blood cell count analyses and erythrocyte morphometry in New Zealand white rabbits

Nina Poljičak-Milas ; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ika Kardum-Skelin ; Cytology and Haematology Laboratory, Clinic of Internal Diseases, Clinical Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
Marijan Vuđan ; Ivana Meštrovića 1, Dugo Selo, Croatia
Terezija Silvija Marenjak ; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Alenka Ballarin-Perharić ; Veterina d.o.o., Rakov Potok, Kalinovica, Croatia
Zoran Milas ; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The total and differential leukocyte count, erythrocyte and thrombocyte count, the hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and red cell distribution width in male and female New Zealand white rabbits were studied. Furthermore, the basic red blood cell morphometric characteristics were analyzed. The complete blood count values were within the reference intervals for this rabbit breed. Comparing the results regarding the
gender, signifi cantly higher hemoglobin concentrations were detected in female rabbits (134.86 vs. 127.5 g/L), whereas in males the anisocytosis was more prominent (RDW 16.09 vs. 15.53). The results of mathematical analysis of the morphometry of erythrocytes revealed statistically different parameters in males and females. Erythrocytes of females had a larger area (30.81 vs. 27.6 μm2), greater maximal (3.54 vs. 3.34 μm) and minimal radius (2.61 vs. 2.47 μm), greater convex area (31.95 vs. 29.03 μm2) and greater length (6.73 vs. 6.33 μm) and cell elongation factor (1.14 vs. 1.10) than the erythrocytes of males. Though the average cell volume was not significantly different, morphometry data showed that the erythrocytes in males were smaller and with lesser prominence than in females, which is congruent with higher RDW and lower hemoglobin concentration in the male rabbits’ blood, and presumably the higher presence of microcytes in the blood of male rabbits. In conclusion, erythrocyte morphometry may provide valuable data about the changes in erythrocyte morphology and could complement the results obtained by standard hematology methods.

Keywords

rabbits; blood cell count; erythrocyte morphometry

Hrčak ID:

53081

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/53081

Publication date:

18.12.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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