Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and erythrocyte sizes for captive African rock pythons (Python sebae)

The aim of the experiment was to determine the erythrocyte sizes and osmotic fragility index of the African rock python in a transitional zone. Ten African rock pythons (ARPs) were used as experimental animals. Blood samples were obtained from captive ARP by venepuncture of the ventral coccygeal vein. Erythrocyte counts, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte sizes were determined. Erythrocytes obtained from each snake were added into saline solution of different NaCl concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 g/100 mL, respectively. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility index was determined spectrophotometrically. Mean erythrocyte size was 76.9 ± 10.2 μm and nucleus size was 9.1 ± 2.4 μm. The mean erythrocyte count obtained was 3.3 ± 0.6 × 1012/L, the mean packed cell volume obtained was 24.0 ± 2.9%, and the mean corpuscular volume was 76.4 ± 4.9 fl. The percentage haemolysis increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.3 g/100 mL NaCl concentration with the value of 79.9 ± 5.6%. The result of this finding adds to already available haematological data of the ARP and also showed that their erythrocyte may be extremely fragile. More research should be done on the effect of antioxidants in improving erythrocyte fragility of ARPs in the region.