Haematology of the fire-bellied toad, Bombina bombina L.

Abstract

Haematological parameters and cytomorphometry of circulating blood were studied in the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina L.). The mean red blood cell count was significantly higher in males (0.340 × 10¹²/l) than in females (0.290 × 10¹²/l). Haemoglobin concentration was 7.11 g/dl, haematocrit 0.195 l/l, red blood cell indices MCV = 607 fl; MCH = 218.5 pg; MCHC = 367.8 g/l, thrombocyte count 6.275 × 10⁹/l, white blood cell count 8.382 × 10⁹/l, the composition being lymphocytes 4.34 × 10⁹/l; monocytes 0.97 × 10⁹/l; neutrophils 2.10 × 10⁹/l; basophils 0.90 × 10⁹/l; eosinophils 0.30 × 10⁹/l. Size, surface area and staining affinities of blood cells were also determined. Erythroblasts (7.44 × 10⁹/l) at various development stages in circulating blood of B. bombina constituted approximately 2.4% of the total number of mature red blood cells and were more numerous in males. The morphology of blood cells is presented as photomicrographs. Results of comparison with the haematology of the closest relatives of B. bombina are discussed.