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Impala, Aepyceros melampus, platelets: count, morphology, and morphometric observations
L du Plessis1, A J Botha, K Stevens
1Department of Haematology, Institute for Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Tissue & Cell
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Impala platelets (Aepyceros melampus) are small but possess typical bovine ultrastructure. This study details their morphology and high platelet counts in healthy impalas.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Hematology
- Comparative Morphology
- Wildlife Biology
Background:
- Limited published data exists on impala (Aepyceros melampus) platelet characteristics.
- Understanding platelet morphology is crucial for assessing animal health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine platelet counts in healthy adult male impalas.
- To describe the ultrastructure and morphology of impala platelets.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 12 healthy adult male impalas.
- Performed platelet counts and detailed morphological analysis using electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Impala platelet counts were found to be high.
- Platelets are extremely small but exhibit characteristic Bovidae ultrastructure.
- Observed prominent alpha-granules, dense bodies, mitochondria, glycogen, and microtubules.
- No surface-connecting canalicular system was identified.
Conclusions:
- Impala platelets share key ultrastructural features with other Bovidae species despite their small size.
- The findings establish a baseline for impala platelet morphology and hematology.