Preliminary Study of the Hematologic Profile of Brazilian Birds of Prey in São Paulo City
Abstract
Birds of prey are predatory birds, characterized by strong beaks and talons, belonging to Falconiform and Strigiform orders.9 Latin America has a large diversity and number of these animals; however, hematologic data for the wildlife species in this area are few, in contrast to the data available for wildlife species from other areas. The aim of this research was to develop a hematologic profile for birds of prey in São Paulo city (Brazil) in an attempt to establish reference ranges for diagnostics.3-7 Thus, blood samples from 68 animals of four different species presenting to DEPAVE-3 were collected between July and December, 2003. Birds received a physical exam under manual restraint and information on origin, age, sex (if possible), nutritional condition and disease status were noted on a clinic form. Blood samples were collected from the jugular or wing vein and were stored both in tubes containing EDTA and tubes without anticoagulant. These samples were processed on the day of collection in the Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo University. Blood stored without anticoagulant was used to prepare blood smears. Smears were stained (Rosenfeld)1 and reviewed to identify and quantify erythrocytes and leukocytes and estimate thrombocyte numbers. Total erythrocyte count (TRBC) and total leukocyte count (TWBC) were determined using a hemocytometer (Natt and Herrick’s method).2,8 Hemoglobin concentration was measured by the cyanmethemoglobin method using the Lab Test® kit. Packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein (TPP) were determined via microhematocrit centrifugation and the use of a refractometer.2,8 In order to facilitate analysis of data, the individuals from each species were classified as healthy and unhealthy (most often trauma). Table 1 shows the hematologic values (arithmetic mean and standard deviation) for the four species: striped owl (Rhinoptynx clamator; n=26), tropical screech owl (Otus choliba; n=17), common caracara (Polyborus plancus; n=14), and roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris; n=11).
Table 1. Hematologic values (arithmetic mean + standard deviation) for four species of birds of prey found in São Paulo city, Brazil
|
Parameter
|
Striped owl
(Rhinoptynx clamator)
n=26
|
Tropical screech owl
(Otus choliba)
n=17
|
Common caracara
(Polyborus plancus)
n=14
|
Roadside hawk
(Rupornis magnirostris)
n=11
|
|
|
Healthy
n=10
|
Unhealthy
n=16
|
Healthy
n=10
|
Unhealthy
n=7
|
Healthy
n=8
|
Unhealthy
n=6
|
Healthy
n=7
|
Unhealthy
n=4
|
|
TRBC (x1012/L)
|
1.95±0.58
|
2.13±0.76
|
2.45±0.74
|
1.99±1.46
|
2.53±0.43
|
2.58±0.51
|
2.96±1.58
|
2.94±1.02
|
|
Hb (g/dl)
|
8.18±2.09
|
9.08±1.47
|
8.69±1.96
|
7.9±1.71
|
9.54±3.49
|
12.03±2.11
|
10.32±2.22
|
9.92±1.91
|
|
PCV (%)
|
33.1±4.62
|
35.5±3.07
|
31.7±4.34
|
34.57±8.50
|
36.62±7.78
|
39.83±5.45
|
36.57±6.62
|
42.75±4.92
|
|
MCV (fl)
|
209.23±170
|
188±75.71
|
136.1±29.14
|
231.07±160.32
|
146.63±7.78
|
159.57±37.20
|
148.58±57.08
|
155.95±41.55
|
|
MCH (pg)
|
51.71±43.99
|
48.44±20.49
|
38.18±14.95
|
58.1±37.53
|
37.95±13.24
|
48.97±15.89
|
33.55±14.71
|
36.55±13.79
|
|
MCHC (%)
|
24.58±5.23
|
25.66±3.95
|
27.44±5.74
|
23.41±4.52
|
25.86±6.5
|
30.21±3.44
|
29.06±9.3
|
23.31±4.44
|
|
TWBC (x109/L)
|
16.85±9.55
|
17.50±12.27
|
8.4±3.16
|
12.42±9.25
|
14.18±13.27
|
13.16±3.23
|
10.78±3.74
|
6.62±3.44
|
|
Heterophils (%)
|
63.22±19.81
|
70.62±13.97
|
38.7±18.69
|
54.71±15.38
|
77.75±11.11
|
91.16±4.75
|
53.85±19.84
|
55±26.85
|
|
Lymphocytes (%)
|
16.88±10.94
|
17.62±9.79
|
21.7±4.39
|
13.28±11.04
|
19.12±9.43
|
6.5±4.18
|
14.7±12.27
|
12±8.28
|
|
Eosinophils (%)
|
14.88±19.27
|
6.68±5.38
|
33.6±16.6
|
25.14±18.66
|
0.37±0.74
|
0.83±1.16
|
20.28±17.10
|
24.75±15.30
|
|
Monocytes (%)
|
5±3.12
|
4.93±5.28
|
5.5±6.02
|
6.71±6.1
|
2.75±2.54
|
1.16±1.47
|
10.57±7.13
|
7.5±5.06
|
|
Basophils (%)
|
0
|
0.12±0.5
|
0.5±0.97
|
0.14±0.37
|
0
|
0.33±0.81
|
0.57±1.13
|
0.75±0.95
|
|
Thrombocytes (x109/L)
|
24.94±11.07
|
29.13±12.84
|
31.21±13.01
|
24.16±18.92
|
29.18±10.36
|
31.97±10.01
|
37.97±34.69
|
30.17±17.65
|
|
TPP (g/dl)
|
4.54±0.71
|
4.3±0.96
|
5.57±0.56
|
5.27±0.64
|
4.48±0.73
|
4.15±0.72
|
5.35±0.65
|
5.95±0.7
|
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