Influence of blood storage on the haematological values in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of long-term blood storage in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) on selected haematological values in the green iguana. Seven adult captive-bred green iguanas (Iguana iguana) were enrolled in this study. Samples of CPDA-1-blood mixture (ratio 1 : 7) were kept at 4 °C for 28 days. Haematological examinations were performed immediately after the blood was collected (D0) and repeated at one-week intervals (D7, D14, D21 and D28). The total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts at D21 and D28 differed significantly from the values at D0 (P < 0.05). Significant differences (P < 0.05) in the haemoglobin concentrations (in comparison to D0) were detected at D14, D21 and D28. Starting at D14, marked erythrocyte degradation was present in the majority of the samples and various degrees of leukocyte degradation were present in all the samples. The mean haemolytic scores at D0, D7, D14, D21 and D28 were 0.14 ± 0.38, 0.71 ± 0.95, 1.43 ± 0.98, 2.14 ± 1.35 and 2.43 ± 1.62, respectively. The results indicate that it is possible to keep the whole blood of green iguanas in CPDA-1 at 4 °C for seven days, as statistically significant changes in the haematological values begin to appear on the 14th day of blood storage.

Keywords

• citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine
• erythrocytes
• haematology
• leukocytes
• reptiles