Abstract
Birds contribute indirectly to human welfare as majority of them feed on insects and rodents and some are efficient scavengers. Poultry forming is a leading profession which provides nutritive food products for human consumption. However, these valuable resources can be infected with a wide range of blood parasites which may affect their survival and existence. In this study, the impact of Haemoproteus, an intracellular sporozoan parasite of the common pigeon. Columba livia on some heamatological parameters (Hb% and TEC) was examined. The investigations were conducted in two groups of Columba livia. Group A: Control, Group B, Heamoproteus infected. The Hb values (13.410.17gm/100ml) in Group A decline to (10.8±0.37 gm/100ml) in Group B. TEC in Group B also declined to 1.620.05x106/Cmm from the normal values of 2.19±0.02x10/Cmm in Group A. The fall in Hb% was 18.97%. and that in TEC was 24.2%. The values of TEC are more affected (24.2 %) as compared to Hb (18.97%). Being an intracellular parasite, the metabolism of Heamoproteus appears to be directly associated with the cells.
Highlights
Hematology offers a potentially valuable tool in the veterinary care of birds
Blood samples for the preparation of blood smears were obtained from a wing vein
The air-dried blood smears were subsequently fixed in methanol for five minutes and stained with Giemsa's stain
Summary
Hematology offers a potentially valuable tool in the veterinary care of birds. Haematological data in the literature on avian physiology are based on domestic species mainly fowl and chickens (Board and Harnsey 1978, Hodges 1979, Dieterlen-Lieure, 1988). Haematoligical values and blood chemistry for wild birds appear only sporadically but a complete listing of the major parameters for nondomestic species is not available. Haematological norms of domestic fowl are often relie upon for clinical and physiological evaluation of wild birds. Haematological values vary among species and are influence by other factors including physiological conditions, (Altman and Dittman, 1964; Dolnik, 1973) age, (Bell and Sturkie, 1965; Leonard, 1969) and nutritional states (Newberne, 1975). Haemoglobin plays a very important role in the pathology of birds similar to those of higher vertebrates
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