Anticoagulants with different modes of action have been used in avian hematology, however, few studies on their effects on the hematological parameters of ostriches were published. Seeking to fill this gap, the effect of two routine anticoagulants (EDTA - 2 mg/mL blood and Heparin - 10 U/mL blood) on erythrocytes of ostriches was compared. Blood samples of 20 ostriches, treated with both anticoagulants were evaluated for integrity, globular volume and morphometry of the erythrocytes. The erythrocyte integrity was estimated by the concentration of free hemoglobin in plasma. The globular volume was obtained by the method of microhematocrit and morphometric data (area, bigger and smaller diameters) were automatically calculated by a computerized system for high resolution digital image. Hemolysis estimated by plasma hemoglobin, packed cell volume, area and maximum diameter of erythrocytes were significantly higher in the samples treated with EDTA. To better preserve the integrity and morphometry of erythrocytes, it was concluded that the heparin rather than EDTA is a more appropriated anticoagulant to evaluate erythrocyte dyscrasia in ostriches.
Anticoagulant interference; avian hematology; blood collection techniques; erythrocyte morphometry; red blood cells (erythrocytes)
