Haematological Changes in the Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii) Following Intraperitoneal Administration of Lipopolysaccharide

Abstract:

Intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide promoted a cellular haematological response in the peripheral blood of tammar wallabies. The changes in the treated wallabies were characterised by a decrease in the total leucocyte concentration from the baseline value at the 2 and 4h time-points and a mild increase in neutrophil concentration at 24h. Morphological changes in neutrophils including: increased numbers of neutrophils with a hyposegmented nucleus and cytoplasmic abnormalities were evident. No significant changes were observed in the fibrinogen concentration or serum electrophoretograms. As the changes in leucocyte concentration of tammar wallabies administered LPS were transient and mild, assessment of leucocyte morphology should be included in any laboratory investigations of macropodid health.