COMPARISON OF TOTAL LEUKOCYTE QUANTIFICATION METHODS IN FREE-LIVING GALAPAGOS TORTOISES (CHELONOIDISSPP.)

• DOI: 10.1638/2015-0159.1
• Publication Date: 2016-03-24T22:14:22Z
• Authors: Julie D. Sheldon; Nicole I. Stacy; Stephen Blake; Fredy Cabrera; Sharon L. Deem
• Keywords: White blood cell

Reptile hematologic data provide important health information for conservation efforts of vulnerable wildlife species such as the Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis spp.). Given reported discrepancies between manual leukocyte counts nonmammalian species, two quantification methods, Natt and Herrick's (NH) Eopette (EO), were compared to white blood cell (WBC) estimates from films 42 free-living, clinically healthy, adult female tortoises. To investigate effects delay in sample processing, estimated WBC differentials prepared at time collection under field conditions (T0) samples that stored 18–23 hr 4°C laboratory (T1). Passing-Bablok regression analysis revealed no constant or proportional error NH (T0 T1) with slopes 1.1 0.9, respectively. However both errors present EO 3.1 2.7, Bland Altman plots also showed agreement where points fell within confidence-interval limit lines evenly distributed about mean. In contrast, estimate comparisons numerous above upper line, especially higher concentrations. obtained T0 T1 agreement, whereas heterophil monocyte percentages based on not. Cell morphology preservation superior because thrombocytes exhibited swelling after storage, becoming difficult differentiate lymphocytes. this study, highest quality most reliable tortoises by combining immediate film preparation method a confirmatory film.