Acid phosphatase in blood smears of Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae)

IMAGES IN CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY

Acid phosphatase in blood smears of Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae)

Maria Isabel Afonso da Silva; Maria Tercília Vilela de Azeredo Oliveira; Claudia Regina Bonini-Domingos

Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil

^{Corresponding author}

Acid phosphatases belong to the hydrolases class of enzymes; they act on organic esters, releasing phosphate ions in acidic conditions. These enzymes are found in lysosomes and secretory vacuoles. They are important for tissue autolysis and proliferation and differentiation and cell transformation processes, but also indicate possible tumors. Deficiency may limit leukocytes, resulting in recurrent infections.⁽¹⁾ Acid phosphatase staining was performed in blood smears of Phrynops geoffroanus using the lead phosphate method,⁽²⁾ with eosinophils being strongly stained (Figure 1). In human blood samples this cytochemical stains the neutrophils. In chelonians, there is a low number of neutrophils and a high number of circulating eosinophils which respond to parasitic infections.⁽³⁾ Cytoplasmic staining suggests that eosinophils are rich in lysosomes which is probably related to their mobilization as defense cells.

Submitted: 8/24/2010

Accepted: 9/3/2010

Conflict-of-interest disclosure: The authors declare no competing financial interest

Financial support: FAPESP, CNPq

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  13 June 2011
• Date of issue
  2011