Abstract

TARRAGONA, E.L. et al. Haematological parameters of the White-eared Opossum, Didelphis albiventris (Lund, 1841), wild populations of central Argentina. InVet [online]. 2011, vol.13, n.2, pp.97-105. ISSN 1668-3498.

The objective of this study was to assess haematological parameters in free-ranging white-bellied opossums (Didelphis albiventris) in the central region of Argentina. Total and differential blood cell counts were conducted in thirty-nine captured individuals. The mean (± standard deviation) values obtained were: erythrocytes 5.01 (±2.4) x 106µL^-1, leukocytes: 27,097 (±14,313) µL-¹; neutrophils 7,600 (±7,097) µL^-1 (including immature neutrophils: 794 (±2,738) µL^-1); lymphocytes: 13,110 (±7,541) µL^-1; basophils: 1,218 (±1,441) µL^-1; eosinophils: 1,983 (±2,458) µL^-1; monocytes: 2,321 (±2,818) µL^-1,. Multivariable statistical analysis showed that neutrophils were strongly associated with sex (p = 0.006). The levels of neutrophils in females doubled that of males. Eosinophils were associated with season. In summer there were significantly greater eosinophils levels than in the winter (p = 0.042). Morphological alterations of erythrocytes were observed in approximately 55% of the blood samples, most of which were stomatocytes and rouleau. A cell type not previously described for this species, annular leukocyte, was also found.

Keywords : Didelphis albiventris; Hematology; Leukocytes.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )