Morphological and Morphometric Variations of Erythrocyte in Clarias Gariepinus, Bufo Bufo and Agama Agama Using Some Histological Stains

Introduction: Erythrocytes are highly specialized and the most abundant cell type in vertebrates’ blood. Their main function is the transportation of oxygen to tissues of the body via hemoglobin. Methods: The study was aimed at evaluating erythrocyte morphology in Clarias gariepinus (Cg), Bufo bufo (Bb), and Agama agama (Aa) using different stains; Also, morphometric analysis of erythrocyte was evaluated in stains with best affinity. Blood sample of Cg, Bb and Aa was collected using syringe. Smears from each animal were made on glass slides and stained with Giemsa, Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and methylene blue. Erythrocytes diameter were measured using a standardized ocular micrometer. The area and volume of erythrocyte were calculated from the measurements. Results: Erythrocytes shapes ranges from spherical in Cg to oval in Aa. Giemsa demonstrated Cg and Bb erythrocytes better than H&E and methylene blue stains while H&E demonstrated erythrocytes of Aa better than Giemsa and methylene blue. Erythrocytes diameter, area and volume of Bb were significantly higher (P<0.001) when compared with Cg and Aa. Conclusion: Erythrocytes shape, size, area and volume vary in different species and could be used to study evolutionary trend. The variation in erythrocyte size is associated with chromosome number and genome size.