Analysis of peripheral blood white blood cell parameters in White stork (Ciconia ciconia L.) chicks varies by sex

Abstract

The aim our study was qualitative and quantitative analysis of white blood morphometric elements of peripheral blood (determining the quantity, blood cells dimension and several hematological values) in White Stork chicks. One of the aims was to indicate whether the sex relevantly influences the variety of the examined white blood indicators. White blood cells parameters of 53 White Stork chicks, with molecularly marked sex, was examined. Blood samples were collected in southern Poland (around Krapkowice town, near Opole city). Lymphocytes of White Storks (mean 37% for females and males) were identified as round cells with dark purple non-lobed, eccentrically positioned nucleus. Among the whole population we differentiated small lymphocytes: with diameters of 5.31 ± 0.65 μm in males and 5.57 ± 0.59 μm in females, and large lymphocytes with a diameter of 8.10 ± 0.66 μm and 8.28 ± 0.74 μm, respectively in females and males. Monocytes (mean 8% for female and males) were the largest leukocytes found in the blood film of White Stork, measuring 13.40 ± 0.97 μm for males and 13.09 ± 1.05 μm for females in diameter. The cytoplasm was abundant and it stained blue-gray, very often contained vacuoles. Heterophils (mean 42.7%) were the largest in granular leukocytes group. They were round and 11.14 ± 0.65 μm for males and 11.01 ± 0.48 μm for females in diameter. The nucleus of heterophils was lobed, usually with two or three lobes. The cytoplasm contained brick-red, elongated granules. Eosinophils (mean 9.44%) were round cells, with a diameter of 10.72 ± 0.49 μm and 10.97 ± 0.53 μm, respectively in males and females. The nucleus was lobed and mostly stained clear blue and contained red-orange, round or rod-shaped granules. Basophils (mean 1.84%) were round and contained dark blue granules, with average of 9.56 ± 0.78 and 9.13 ± 0.84 μm in diameter, for males and females. The nucleus was usually non-lobed. The H/L ratio was 4/4 for both sexes. No significant differences in levels and types of leukocytes between male and female juvenile storks have been observed.