Hematology and serum biochemistry of captive gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in India

Aim: To study the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the critically endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). Materials and Methods: Blood samples for hemato-biochemical analyses were collected from the ventral median coccygeal vein of six juvenile and six sub adult gharials of Dewari Gharial Rearing Centre of National Chambal Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India. Hematological examination was performed manually. Differential leukocyte count was performed on the blood smears stained with Giemsa’s stain. The analysis of serum was conducted by eppendorf ECOM-F 6124 semi auto biochemical analyzer using standard ERBA biochemical reagent kits. Results: Peripheral blood cells of gharial showed erythrocytes with an oval outline and centrally located prominent round to oval nucleus. Erythrocyte count in sub adult gharials was significantly greater than juveniles. Whereas erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte size in juveniles was significantly larger than sub adults. The average most abundant leukocyte type in gharial was lymphocytes (53%), followed by heterophils (27%), eosinophils (10%), monocytes (7%) and basophils (3%). Aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides and albumin concentrations in sub adult gharials were significantly higher than juveniles. No significant differences were determined in other hemato-biochemical parameters between juvenile and sub adult gharials under study. Conclusion: A preliminary database on hematology and blood biochemistry of gharial was established. The data will be useful in routine health evaluations, especially in relation to determining potential effects associated with factors such as pollution and infectious diseases.