Observations on the Structures of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets in Some Felis spp. and Panthera spp.

Abstract

Blood cells and platelets from twenty-seven animals belonging to two genera of the Family Felidae, were studied using both light and transmission electron microscopes (TEM). Generally, blood cells can be categorized into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The red blood cells or erythrocytes from these species were round and had neither a nucleus nor organelles. They showed a central pale area, Heinz bodies and rouleaux formation. The white blood cells could be divided into two groups; granulocytes and agranulocytes. The granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) were spherical in shape with lobulated nuclei and containing specific granules in their cytoplasm. Neutrophils of the female Felis spp. and Panthera spp. showed the same nuclear appendage or Barr body. Eosinophilic granules of the Felis spp. were rod or oval in shape, consisted of a less electron-dense matrix and an electron-dense core or a
crystalloid, with concentrically arranged lamellated structures. In contrast, eosinophilic granules of the Panthera spp. were round and contained electron-dense particles surrounded by a limiting membrane. Basophilic granules of Panthera spp. contained an electron-dense core and were surrounded by a space and a limiting membrane, while basophilic granules of Felis spp. consisted of an electron-dense matrix, surrounded by a limiting membrane. The agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) had a round nucleus. Generally, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets in this study were similar to those of other common mammals.