Hematological reference values of the snakes Oxyrhopus guibei and Xenodon neuwiedii (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Abstract The aim of this study was to establish the reference range of hematological values for two species of Brazilian nonpoisonous snakes recently wild-caught and sent to the Butantan Institute. Blood samples were collected from the ventral caudal vein of 26 Oxyrhopus guibei (18 females and 8 males) and 19 Xenodon neuwiedii (nine females and ten males) snakes. Hematologic analyses were performed using manual standard methods and mean values (X ± SD) for O. guibei and X. neuwiedii were, respectively, red blood count ×109/L (476.6 ± 138.8 and 455.3 ± 125.9); white blood count ×109/L (4.8 ± 2.1and 4.5 ± 2.0); thrombocyte count ×109/L (7.3 ± 2.7 and 7.6 ± 2.8); hematocrit % (24.3 ± 6.0 and 23.8 ± 6.7), hemoglobin g/dL (6.8 ± 2.3 and 6.3 ± 2.0); proerythrocyte ×109/L (21.5 ± 25.3 and 23.5 ± 18.6); differential white blood cell count in ×109/L: lymphocytes (1.8 ± 0.7 and 1.7 ± 1.0), azurophils (1.9 ± 1.0 and 1.9 ± 0.8), heterophils (0.8 ± 0.9 and 0.6 ± 0.4), and basophils (0.4 ± 0.2 and 0.4 ± 0.3). There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between the two species of snakes. Some hematological changes observed in both species are probably associated with factors that influence their physiological state such as stress of capture, seasonality, and diet among others. Intracellular parasites were not found in any of the specimens studie...
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research