Seasonal changes in blood parameters in the bat species Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and miniopterus schreibersi.
Intersexual and seasonal comparisons of erythrocyte number, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration were conducted for two old world temperate bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Miniopterus schreibersi. Both species had many small erythrocytes and elevated hemoglobin concentrations. Seasonal differences in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and mean cell volume were found in each species. The increase in the number of small erythrocytes in the warm season may be related to heightened activity of the bats during this period. High blood-oxygen capacities associated with high hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values increase oxygen delivery to tissues in species with small body size and high metabolic rates.
D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000097:blood*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons
D006454:Hemoglobins