Hematology, Morphology and Cytochemistry of Blood Cells in Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius)

Abstract

Blood samples of 10 (6 males and 4 females) lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) and one male greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) at Khow Khoew Open Zoo, were collected from the cutaneous ulna vein for basic hematologic, light microscopic and cytochemical studies of blood cell. Heparin was used for anticoagulant in all adjutants. There was no hematozoa detected in all adjutants. There was no significant difference in all hematological values between the male and female lesser adjutants. Lymphocytes were the second commonly observed leukocytes in the lesser adjutant and the male greater adjutant. They averaged 6-8 µm in diameter. By α-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) and β–glucuronidase (β–glu), they were negative and fine granular reactivities. Heterophils were the most commonly observed leukocytes in the adjutants. Heterophils contained many pleomorphic, dull eosinophilic granules and lobed nucleus. Heterophils were the medium-sized cells, averaging 8-12 mm in diameter. Heterophil granules were negative with all cytochemical stainings but pinkish stained with β–glu. The granules of eosinophil in the lesser adjutant revealed many small round granules whereas those of the greater adjutant were pleomorhic granules. They usually were the largest leukocytes, averaging 9-14 µm in diameter. The numbers of eosinophil were quite high in both the male and female lesser adjutants. Eosinophil granules
were negative with all cytochemical stainings. Basophils were as small as lymphocytes but revealed many small granules surrounding central round nucleus. Basophils were moderately stained with ANAE and β–glu. These results provided comparative hematologic data, a guide for identification and cytochemical reactions of blood cell in lesser adjutant and greater adjutant.