Some haematological, biochemical and zootechnical parameters of fruit eating bat (Eidolon helvum) in Morogoro Tanzania.

Abstract

A study was carried out with the aim of establishing hematological, blood
biochemical and zootechnical parameters of a colony of fruit eating bats (Eidolon helvum) in Morogoro region, Tanzania. A total of 50 bats were captured using hand held hooks and quickly transported to the laboratory where the various parameters were measured. Zootechnical parameters (body length, wing span and chest width) were taken and recorded. Blood samples (20 ml) were collected from the jugular vein. Haematological and biochemical parameters determined were packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte counts,
leukocyte counts, blood hemoglobin (Hb), plasma albumin, total plasma protein, blood urea and uric acid. Mean values (± SD) for zootechnical data were 225 ± 33 g, 76 ± 7 cm, 17 ± 2 cm and 8 ± 1 cm for body weight, wing span, body length and chest width respectively. Male bats had significantly (p < 0.05) higher values for all zootechnical data except for the chest width. The mean haematological values (± SD) were; PCV 43 ± 5 %; Hb 11.3 ± 2.6 g/dl; erythrocyte count 7.8 ± 1.9 x 1012 cells/l and leukocyte count 6.7 ± 2.4 x 1010
cells/l. The mean biochemical values were; total plasma protein 62.0 ± 7.4 g/l; albumin 28.8 ± 4.1 g/l; uric acid 138.0 ± 11.7 mmol/l and urea 8.2 ± 1.2 mmol/l. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were 59.6 ± 18.3 mm3, 15.5 ± 6.4 pg and 26.3 ± 7.3 g/dl respectively. All these values were within the normal range for fruit eating bats. There were no significant differences between male and female bats for MCV and MCHC while females
had significantly higher (p < 0.05) values for MCH than males.

Tanzania Veterinary Journal Vol. 24 (2) 2007: pp. 129-138