Blood platelets of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2004 |
Authors: |
L. du Plessis, A. J. Botha, F. Reyers, K. Stevens |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
cheetahs, morphology, platelets, ultrastructure |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20009.abs The blood platelet count and platelet morphology of 22 adult cheetahs was investigated. The platelet counts of the animals displayed a normal distribution, with a mean count of 344×109/l and a mean platelet volume of 11 fl. Morphological and ultrastructural features of the cheetah platelets revealed the typical platelet morphology of anuclear cells, with granules scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The characteristic surface canalicular system and microtubules were present. True cross-sections of the platelets had a mean area of 2.146 µm2, circumference of 6.805 µm, and mean minimum and maximum projections of 1.000 µm and 2.933 µm, respectively. Zoo Biol 23:263–271, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.