**4.4. The lymphocytes**

The lymphocytes are comparatively smaller than eosinophils with round to oval nucleus occupying most space with spherical nucleus (Plate 3). Small and large lymphocytes were also seen in the blood smear. Some lymphocytes contained a few azurophilic granules in their cytoplasm.Jain (1986) reported small lymphocytes is common in cats with patchy nucleus and dense clumps of heterochromatin. In tigers, Shrivastav et.al.(2011) have report lymphocytes from 18 to 35, 30 ±4.56 % (Table 1& Plates 2).

Tigers Blood: Haematological and Biochemical Studies 237

The monocytes are usually larger than lymphocytes. Shrivastav et.al. (2011) encountered 2 to 6, 5 ± 1.21% monocytes in free range tigers with distinguishing feature of the reddish grey nucleus and well defined vacuoles, the nucleus of the monocytes reported amoeboid and some time noticed horseshoe shaped nucleus while cytoplasm stained slightly blue and appeared foamy – vacuolated. (Plate 3). Jain (1986) has also observed similar monocytes in

The monocytes are associated with phagocytosis principally against intracellular bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. The cells perform regulation of the immune response, phagocytic removal of tissue debris (affected cells, antibody coated cells and other foreign

Rao and Acharjyo, (2002) have emphasized that macrophages, B-lymphocytes and bone marrow precursor cells are targeted cells for viral replication and commonly observed in Feline Pan-leucopenia (FPL), Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIDS), Canine Distemper (CD) and Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) etc. The body

Platelets are abundant in blood smear and usually distributed in small to large clumps. Shrivastav et.al.(2011) reported that individual platelets are pleomorphic with rounded to elongated shapes with a central cluster of azurophilic granules (Plate 3). Jain (1986) has observed the clumping platelets in cat blood and emphasized that the platelets of the cats clump readily during excitement of 3 minutes caused a sudden increase in platelet counts. A slight decrease occurred in sympathectomized cats and a somewhat greater

The concentration of biochemical compounds in tissues and body fluid can be measured in a colorimetery, as it is capable of absorbing light of a particular wave length (Singh, 2004). Thus the health status of animal can be assessed by evaluation of Blood gases, acid base balances, electrolytes, metabolic intermediates, inorganic ions, enzymes and

Shrivastav, et.al. (2011) have conducted blood biochemical analysis of free range tigers for Albumin, Total protein, Total bilirubin, glucose, creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Glutamic oxalo-transaminase (GOT/AST), Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT/ALT) by using an ERBA Chem-5 plus auto-analyzer (Transasia Bo-medicals Ltd.) with standard ERBA reagent kits for respective plasma constituents. The statistical analysis of obtained

**4.5. The monocytes** 

experimental domestic cats.

**4.6. The platelets** 

materials) as scavenger ( Jain, 1986).

immune system is badly affected and gradually reduced.

data is expressed in range, mean and standard deviation.

decrease reported in splenectomized cats.

**4.7. Blood biochemistry** 

hormones.

**Plate 3.** Tiger Blood smear stained with Modified Wright Stain x1000.

#### **4.5. The monocytes**

236 Blood Cell – An Overview of Studies in Hematology

**4.4. The lymphocytes** 

size with 0 to 0.4 0.1 ±1.21 5 % in free range tigers.

lymphocytes from 18 to 35, 30 ±4.56 % (Table 1& Plates 2).

**Plate 3.** Tiger Blood smear stained with Modified Wright Stain x1000.

al. (1982) reported basophiles of cats have a limited capacity to phagocytised. Chadranaik et.al. (2006) have reported smaller basophiles than eosinophils with pale lavender pink stained cytoplasmic granules in physically restrained tigers. Jain (1986) observed the mature basophiles contains numerous small, round, lightly stained (pinkish or orangish) granules in light gray cytoplasm in experimental cats. The basophiles were rarely observed up to the

The lymphocytes are comparatively smaller than eosinophils with round to oval nucleus occupying most space with spherical nucleus (Plate 3). Small and large lymphocytes were also seen in the blood smear. Some lymphocytes contained a few azurophilic granules in their cytoplasm.Jain (1986) reported small lymphocytes is common in cats with patchy nucleus and dense clumps of heterochromatin. In tigers, Shrivastav et.al.(2011) have report The monocytes are usually larger than lymphocytes. Shrivastav et.al. (2011) encountered 2 to 6, 5 ± 1.21% monocytes in free range tigers with distinguishing feature of the reddish grey nucleus and well defined vacuoles, the nucleus of the monocytes reported amoeboid and some time noticed horseshoe shaped nucleus while cytoplasm stained slightly blue and appeared foamy – vacuolated. (Plate 3). Jain (1986) has also observed similar monocytes in experimental domestic cats.

The monocytes are associated with phagocytosis principally against intracellular bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. The cells perform regulation of the immune response, phagocytic removal of tissue debris (affected cells, antibody coated cells and other foreign materials) as scavenger ( Jain, 1986).

Rao and Acharjyo, (2002) have emphasized that macrophages, B-lymphocytes and bone marrow precursor cells are targeted cells for viral replication and commonly observed in Feline Pan-leucopenia (FPL), Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIDS), Canine Distemper (CD) and Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) etc. The body immune system is badly affected and gradually reduced.

#### **4.6. The platelets**

Platelets are abundant in blood smear and usually distributed in small to large clumps. Shrivastav et.al.(2011) reported that individual platelets are pleomorphic with rounded to elongated shapes with a central cluster of azurophilic granules (Plate 3). Jain (1986) has observed the clumping platelets in cat blood and emphasized that the platelets of the cats clump readily during excitement of 3 minutes caused a sudden increase in platelet counts. A slight decrease occurred in sympathectomized cats and a somewhat greater decrease reported in splenectomized cats.

#### **4.7. Blood biochemistry**

The concentration of biochemical compounds in tissues and body fluid can be measured in a colorimetery, as it is capable of absorbing light of a particular wave length (Singh, 2004). Thus the health status of animal can be assessed by evaluation of Blood gases, acid base balances, electrolytes, metabolic intermediates, inorganic ions, enzymes and hormones.

Shrivastav, et.al. (2011) have conducted blood biochemical analysis of free range tigers for Albumin, Total protein, Total bilirubin, glucose, creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Glutamic oxalo-transaminase (GOT/AST), Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT/ALT) by using an ERBA Chem-5 plus auto-analyzer (Transasia Bo-medicals Ltd.) with standard ERBA reagent kits for respective plasma constituents. The statistical analysis of obtained data is expressed in range, mean and standard deviation.

#### **4.8. Icterus index**

Jain (1986) reported an increase in the values of Icterus index in plasma is an indicative of an absolute increase in bilirubin concentration due to removal of aged erythrocytes from the circulation by the reticuloendothelial and liver. Shrivastav, et.al. (2011) reported 2 to 5, ± 2.1.5 units. in apparently healthy tigers of free range.

Tigers Blood: Haematological and Biochemical Studies 239

Creatinine is important in muscles metabolism in that it provides storage of high energy phosphates through synthesis of phosphocreatine (Benjamin,1979).It was estimated in tigers as 1.6 to 4.6, 2.9, ±1.03 mg /dl. Serum or plasma creatinine concentration and urinary creatine secretion are increased significantly by skeletal muscles necrosis or atrophy and defect in

Urea is the end product of protein and amino acids and is generated in the liver through urea cycle (Woo and Cannon, 1991).Blood Urea Nitrogen is one of the important tools to know the renal function status. The values of BUN (6.5 to 48.2, 27.9, ± 13.7 mg /dl) was observed in free range tigers is commonly seen in malnutrition and hepatic insufficiencies, however, increased BUN is generally associated with renal disease congestive heart failure, shock, hypertension etc. Shrivastav et. al. (2011) observed the high rise might be also due to adlib intake of meat as the Royal Bengal Tiger can consume 35-40 kg meat of pray animal at

The serum enzymes used routinely in clinical diagnosis are synthesized in liver (Schaffner, and Schaffner, 1991). In hepatocellular or in cholestatic forms of liver injury these hepatic enzymes are released in to the serum. The serum enzyme activities that are elevated in hepato cellulardamage are Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Aspertate Aminotransferase (AST) Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase (OCT), Glutamic Dehydrogenase (GD) Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH) and arginase. The elevated serum activities that suggest cholestasis (intra hepatic or extrahepatic) are Alkaline phosphotase (AP), Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and 5' nucleotidase (5'ND). The pathogenesis of the hepatic disease in carnivores especially in Felids are associated with viral hepatitis, parasitic infections or mechanical injuries (Rao and Acharjyo, 2002). The liver has great functional reserves and signs of hepatic failure often do not develop until 70% or more of the functional capacity of

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) was also termed as SGPT and used by many estimations and large number are found in Hepatocytes in cats, dogs and promates (Benjamin, 1979).The ALT was estimated 21.2 to 109.0, 67.9, 27.84 ± IU /L in free range healthy tigers (Shrivastav

Apart from liver, AST (Aspertate Aminotransferase) is also present in muscles and cardiac muscles. The higher value of AST though is not an organ specific but used as an indicator of

**4.12. Creatinine** 

renal functions (Pennington, 1971)

**4.13. Blood urea nitrogen** 

a time (Prater, 2005).

**4.14. Hepatic enzymes** 

the liver is lost (Tennant, 1997).

et. al, 2011).

**4.15. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)** 

**4.16. Aspertate aminotransferase (AST)** 

#### **4.9. Total plasma protein**

Protein in plasma can provide information reflecting functional status of various organ and systems as blood is composed of approx 20 % of protein excluding haemoglobin. However, the total protein values gives the information on nutritional consequences or severe organ diseases as they transported the carrier of most of the constituents of the plasma, maintains the colloid osmotic pressure, act as catalysts in biochemical reaction and play important role in formation of fibrin polymers during clot formation (Richard, 1991). The total plasma protein in tigers was estimated 3.7-8.7 to 6.4, ± 1.88g /dl. The values are commonly increases in haemoconcentration and reduced in malnutrition, hepatopathy, less intake of protein and in neoplastic condition etc.

#### **4.10. Plasma albumin**

The liver produces all the albumin and globulins while a small amount of globulins is produced by reticuloendothelial tissue (Benjamin, 1979).Liver synthetic capacity or proteinlosing nephropathy can be measured by albumin estimation in the blood plasma or serum. It also can interpret high or low calcium and magnesium level since albumin binds about one half of each of the ions (Richard, 1991). However, it appears to be a direct correlation between albumin turnover and body size because it is clinically significant. It is usually constituted with two third of total plasma protein and also serve as mobile amino acids for the liver (Mc Pherson, 1991). Generally hypoalbuminism is observed in malnutrition, increased protein catabolism, nephropathy and chronic enterophathy. Shrivastav et. al. (2011) reported plasma albumin level 2.1 to 4.6, ± 3.5 g /dl, in free range tigers. Reduction in total albumin values is observed in malnutrition , liver diseases, stress, kidney dysfunction etc.

#### **4.11. Total bilirubin**

Bilirubin is a breakdown product of heme about 70 percent of which is derived from senescent red cells (Crawford et. al., 1988) however, 15 percent comes from hepatic cytoplasm and mitochondrial cytochromes and some from renal and other cytochromes, and some from defective red blood cell broken down in the bone marrow before release. Shrivastav et. al. (2011) reported 0.4 to 3.2, 1.90, ± 1.21mg /dl, total bilirubin in free range tigers. The yellow color of serum or plasma is due chiefly to the pressure of bilirubin. Increased concentration of bilirubin is commonly seen in haemolysis hepatocellular damage, biliary obstruction prolonged fasting reduced intake fluids etc.

#### **4.12. Creatinine**

238 Blood Cell – An Overview of Studies in Hematology

2.1.5 units. in apparently healthy tigers of free range.

Jain (1986) reported an increase in the values of Icterus index in plasma is an indicative of an absolute increase in bilirubin concentration due to removal of aged erythrocytes from the circulation by the reticuloendothelial and liver. Shrivastav, et.al. (2011) reported 2 to 5, ±

Protein in plasma can provide information reflecting functional status of various organ and systems as blood is composed of approx 20 % of protein excluding haemoglobin. However, the total protein values gives the information on nutritional consequences or severe organ diseases as they transported the carrier of most of the constituents of the plasma, maintains the colloid osmotic pressure, act as catalysts in biochemical reaction and play important role in formation of fibrin polymers during clot formation (Richard, 1991). The total plasma protein in tigers was estimated 3.7-8.7 to 6.4, ± 1.88g /dl. The values are commonly increases in haemoconcentration and reduced in malnutrition, hepatopathy, less intake of protein and

The liver produces all the albumin and globulins while a small amount of globulins is produced by reticuloendothelial tissue (Benjamin, 1979).Liver synthetic capacity or proteinlosing nephropathy can be measured by albumin estimation in the blood plasma or serum. It also can interpret high or low calcium and magnesium level since albumin binds about one half of each of the ions (Richard, 1991). However, it appears to be a direct correlation between albumin turnover and body size because it is clinically significant. It is usually constituted with two third of total plasma protein and also serve as mobile amino acids for the liver (Mc Pherson, 1991). Generally hypoalbuminism is observed in malnutrition, increased protein catabolism, nephropathy and chronic enterophathy. Shrivastav et. al. (2011) reported plasma albumin level 2.1 to 4.6, ± 3.5 g /dl, in free range tigers. Reduction in total albumin values is observed in malnutrition , liver diseases, stress, kidney dysfunction

Bilirubin is a breakdown product of heme about 70 percent of which is derived from senescent red cells (Crawford et. al., 1988) however, 15 percent comes from hepatic cytoplasm and mitochondrial cytochromes and some from renal and other cytochromes, and some from defective red blood cell broken down in the bone marrow before release. Shrivastav et. al. (2011) reported 0.4 to 3.2, 1.90, ± 1.21mg /dl, total bilirubin in free range tigers. The yellow color of serum or plasma is due chiefly to the pressure of bilirubin. Increased concentration of bilirubin is commonly seen in haemolysis hepatocellular damage,

biliary obstruction prolonged fasting reduced intake fluids etc.

**4.8. Icterus index** 

**4.9. Total plasma protein** 

in neoplastic condition etc.

**4.10. Plasma albumin** 

**4.11. Total bilirubin** 

etc.

Creatinine is important in muscles metabolism in that it provides storage of high energy phosphates through synthesis of phosphocreatine (Benjamin,1979).It was estimated in tigers as 1.6 to 4.6, 2.9, ±1.03 mg /dl. Serum or plasma creatinine concentration and urinary creatine secretion are increased significantly by skeletal muscles necrosis or atrophy and defect in renal functions (Pennington, 1971)
