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Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and erythrocyte sizes for captive African rock pythons (Python sebae)

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Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to determine the erythrocyte sizes and osmotic fragility index of the African rock python in a transitional zone. Ten African rock pythons (ARPs) were used as experimental animals. Blood samples were obtained from captive ARP by venepuncture of the ventral coccygeal vein. Erythrocyte counts, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte sizes were determined. Erythrocytes obtained from each snake were added into saline solution of different NaCl concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 g/100 mL, respectively. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility index was determined spectrophotometrically. Mean erythrocyte size was 76.9 ± 10.2 μm and nucleus size was 9.1 ± 2.4 μm. The mean erythrocyte count obtained was 3.3 ± 0.6 × 1012/L, the mean packed cell volume obtained was 24.0 ± 2.9%, and the mean corpuscular volume was 76.4 ± 4.9 fl. The percentage haemolysis increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.3 g/100 mL NaCl concentration with the value of 79.9 ± 5.6%. The result of this finding adds to already available haematological data of the ARP and also showed that their erythrocyte may be extremely fragile. More research should be done on the effect of antioxidants in improving erythrocyte fragility of ARPs in the region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Henry Olanrewaju Jegede

  2. Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Folashade H. Olaifa & Adakole S. Adah

  3. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Arimie Deborah Adah

  4. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale

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  1. Henry Olanrewaju Jegede
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  2. Folashade H. Olaifa
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  3. Adakole S. Adah
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  4. Arimie Deborah Adah
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  5. Temidayo Olutayo Omobowale
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Correspondence to Henry Olanrewaju Jegede.

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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted. This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Jegede, H.O., Olaifa, F.H., Adah, A.S. et al. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and erythrocyte sizes for captive African rock pythons (Python sebae). Comp Clin Pathol 29, 317–320 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019-03064-0

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