Haematology, red cell metabolism and blood chemistry of the black-faced cormorant Leucocarbo fuscescens.
1. Haematology, red cell metabolism and blood chemistry of five fledgeling black-faced cormorants Leucocarbo fuscescens were studied and the results were compared with previously reported data on several other sea-birds. 2. The mean erythrocyte count of the cormorant is similar to that of penguins but lower than that of flying, non-diving sea-birds. The cormorant's red cell mean cell volume (MCV) is lower than that of penguins but higher than that of non-diving sea-birds. 3. Leucocyte numbers are within expected limits for avian species. 4. Red cell enzymes: glucose phosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase and enolase are higher in the cormorant than in the little penguin; glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, monophosphoglyceromutase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase are lower. 5. Haemoglobin electrophoresis showed a typical avian haemoglobin pattern.
Department of Haematology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia.
W D
WD
Melrose
S C
SC
Nicol
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013045:Species Specificity
D006454:Hemoglobins