Hematological Study of Two Buffalofishes, Ictiobus cyprinellus and I. bubalus (Catostomidae)

Abstract

A hematological study was made based on 10 specimens each of the buffalofishes Ictiobus cyprinellus and I. bubalus (Catostomidae). Average results of analyses of selected blood characteristics of I. cyprinellus and I. bubalus, respectively, were: hemoglobin content, 7.8 and 8.5 g/100 ml; erythrocyte count, 1.08 and 1.28 millions/mm²; hematocrit, 34.6 and 32.9%; mean corpuscular hemoglobin, 67 and 64 μμg; and leucocyte count, 23916 and 29004 cells/mm³. Types of leucocytes noted were lymphocytes, neutrophils, "secretory granulocytes," eosinophils, and thrombocytes. No basophils were found. The secretory granulocyte is apparently derived from the neutrophil series. The status of the secretory granulocyte in buffalofishes is discussed with reference to pertinent literature.