Abstract:
In this study, we aimed to
highlight the influence of anticoagulants on
erythrocyte morphometry in different
vertebrate species. Anticoagulants are a
category of substances that inhibit blood
clotting through various mechanisms. Due to
this property, they are used to collect blood
samples for a wide range of laboratory tests.
The literature mentions that the use of
anticoagulants produces morphological
changes of erythrocytes, thus influencing
results. Blood samples were collected from
three warm-blooded vertebrate species
(horse, rabbit, and chicken) and one lower
vertebrate species with nucleated erythrocytes
(fish) in vacutainers with Heparin and EDTA
(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), in a normal
concentration and a double concentration. At
the time of harvesting, control smears were
performed. In order to be able to compare
the effects produced by anticoagulants on the
morphology of erythrocytes, they were
evaluated morphometrically at intervals of 3,
6, and 24 hrs. after harvest. The following
features were evaluated using the Toup View
software: length, width, surface and perimeter
of erythrocytes for species with anucleated
erythrocytes. The same characteristics were
evaluated in the nucleus for species with
nucleated erythrocytes. The data obtained
were processed with statistical programs to
highlight changes in erythrocyte morphology
produced by anticoagulants.
