Hematological and plasma biochemical parameters in a wild population of Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758) in Sri Lanka

Abstract

BackgroundHematological studies of any animal species comprise an important diagnostic method in veterinary medicine and an essential tool for the conservation of species. In Sri Lanka, this essential technique has been ignored in studies of many species including reptiles. The aim of the present work was to establish a reference range of hematological values and morphological characterization of wild spectacled cobras (Naja naja) in Sri Lanka in order to provide a diagnostic tool in the assessment of health condition in reptiles and to diagnose diseases in wild populations.MethodsBlood samples were collected from the ventral caudal vein of 30 wild-caught Naja naja (18 males and 12 females). Hematological analyses were performed using manual standard methods.ResultsSeveral hematological parameters were examined and their mean values were: red blood cell count 0.581 ± 0.035 × 106/μL in males; 0.4950 ± 0.0408 × 106/μL in females; white blood cell count 12.45 ± 1.32 × 103/μL in males; 11.98 ± 1.62 × 103/μL in females; PCV (%) in males was 30.11 ± 1.93 and in females was 23.41 ± 1.67; hemoglobin (g/dL) was 7.6 ± 0.89 in males and 6.62 ± 1.49 in females; plasma protein (g/dL) was 5.11 ± 0.75 in males and 3.25 ± 0.74 in females; whereas cholesterol (mg/mL) was 4.09 ± 0.12 in males and 3.78 ± 0.42 in females. There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between the two genders except for erythrocyte count, thrombocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein, percentage of azurophil and heterophil. Intracellular parasites were not found in any of the studied specimens.ConclusionHematological and plasma biochemical parameters indicated a difference between geographically isolated populations and some values were significantly different between the two genders. These hematological results provide a reference range for Sri Lankan population of adult Naja naja.

Photoperiodic manipulation modulates the innate and cell mediated immune functions in the fresh water snake, Natrix piscator

“…A small drop of blood was taken on a clean dry slide and a uniform film was smeared. Slides were dried in air, fixed in methanol 58,59 and stained in Giemsa and Leishman stain 60,61 . The slides were then washed in running water, dried, dehydrated, cleaned in xylene and mounted.…”

The Venom of Spectacled Cobra (Elapidae:Naja naja):In VitroStudy from Distinct Geographical Origins in Sri Lanka

“…Several studies already have revealed that composition and clinicopathological effects on vital organs by venom of N. naja have a significant variation in accordance with their originated location [ 16 – 19 , 34 – 37 ]. Similar to N. naja in India, the spectacled cobra in Sri Lanka inhabits a wide range of terrestrial habitat, up to an elevation of 1500m [ 38 , 39 ]. Though the distribution of Sri Lankan N. naja is highly variable, Sri Lanka still lacks these systematics studies on Sri Lankan venomous snakes to verify each venom composition and their effect on body according to their geographic diversity and other associated factors.…”

Effects of Therapeutic and Toxic Agents on Erythrocytes of Different Species of Animals

“…RBCs of male Naja naja (0.58 AE 0.04 Â 10 6 /μl) are higher than that of the female Naja naja (0.50 AE 0.04 Â 10 6 /μl). PCV of the male (30.11 AE 1.93%) is higher than that of the female (23.41 AE 1.67%), whereas hemoglobin (7.6 AE 0.75 g/dl) is significantly higher in male than in the female Naja naja (3.25 AE 0.74 g/dl), respectively [64]. The difference in the hematological parameters may be due to their nutrition, age, sex, and environment.…”