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Haematology and red cell enzymes of the Australian orange-bellied parrot, Neophema chrysogaster

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Abstract

The haematology, red cell enzymes, and haemoglobin electrophoresis of twelve captive bred Australian orange-bellied parrots (Neophema chrysogaster) were studied. The means of the haematological parameters were: haemoglobin 15.3 g/dl, PCV 54%, red cell count 3.4 × 1012/l, MCV 138.0 fl, MCH 44.7 pg, leucocyte count 7.2 × 109/l, heterophils 61%, lymphocytes 24%, monocytes 6.3%, eosinophils 0.7% and basophils 6.8%. The basophil count is higher than that recorded in other parrot species. The red cell enzyme activity is lower than those found in human red cells and similar to those recorded in the limited amount of data available for other avian species. Haemoglobin electrophoresis showed a typical avian pattern.

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Melrose, W.D., Brown, P.B., Holdsworth, M.C. et al. Haematology and red cell enzymes of the Australian orange-bellied parrot, Neophema chrysogaster . Comparative Haematology International 5, 7–9 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214484

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