The morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells, the anatomical structure of the liver and spleen
were examined in desert tortoise. Forty healthy adult Testudo graeca tortoises, 20 females and 20 males were selected for
this study. The tortoises were given thorough examination, and a blood sample was collected from the heart by
cardiocentesis. The Wright staining method was used for classification of the blood cells. Seven different types of blood
cells were determined: erythrocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and thrombocytes.
Mature erythrocytes of captive Testudo graeca were nucleated ellipsoidal cells. Erythrocytes measurements for males
were (length 18.76 ± 2.81 |
