Haematology and Blood Chemistry of the Conscious Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus (Shaw) (Monotremata: Ornithorhynchidae)

Abstract

Blood was collected from a bill sinus of nine conscious adult platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, caught in south-eastem New South Wales. Sexual dimorphisms were not found in the haematological and serum biochemical values measured. Results were compared with those obtained earlier from anaesthetized platypuses: ether anaethesia did not affect red cell parameters and the majority of biochemical values measured. It did, however, cause significant leukocytosis due to neutrophilia and monocytosis. The mean total leukocyte count in conscious platypuses was 28.63 X 10*9.1-¹. The unusually high urea levels and low creatinine levels found in anaesthetized platypus were confirmed in this study (31.5 mmol.l-¹ and 26 µmol.l-¹ respectively). High values for erythrocyte count (9.96 X 10*12.l-¹), packed cell volume (0.491.l-¹) and haemoglobin (190 g.l-¹) were found in conscious platypuses, confirming earlier findings and supporting the view that the erythrocyte parameters of the platypus show significant adaptations to hypoxia.