Hematological and plasma biochemistry in Psammophilus blanfordanus (Sauria: Agamidae)

The purpose of this study is to determine reference ranges for hematological and plasma chemistry of Psammophilus blanfordanus (Sauria: Agamidae) collected from their natural habitat. Blood samples were taken from coccygeal vein and lower abdominal vein of P. blanfordanus and different blood parameters were measured. Among the hematological parameters, there was sex wise difference in RBC count between males and females. Measurement of various types of blood cells was carried out with the help of a stage and an ocular micrometer. Erythrocytes were oval or elliptical shape both in male (length 15.375 ± 1.376 μm, breadth 10.75 ± 0.957 μm) and female (length 12.83 ± 3.083 μm, breadth 7.975 ± 2.206 μm) with centrally located oval nucleus (male: length 7.0 ± 0.816 μm, breadth 5.1 ± 0.115 μm; female: length 6.12 ± 0.853 μm, breadth 4 ± 0.816 μm). The WBCs was rounded, circular, or disk-shaped and the number of WBC in males was lower than females. The percentage of lymphocytes was higher in males and heterophils were lower in comparison with females but no differences in basophil, eosonophil, and monocyte counts in both the sexes during the study period. In addition, the content of hemoglobin percentage was higher in females than males. In terms of plasma chemistry, there was significant difference in the mean value of protein and cholesterol content between male (male, 98.264 ± 29.231and 7.455 ± 0.503 mg/ml; female, 49.448 ± 32.988 and 9.567 ± 4.363 mg/ml) and females.