Haematological and blood chemical values from Bothrops ammodytoides (Ophidia-Crotalidae) in captivity

In order to establish reference haematological and blood chemistry paramete rs, blood samples were obtained from 50 healthy specimens of Bothrops ammod ytoides kept in captivity. The haematological parameters determined were: r ed blood cell count (RBC); total leucocyte (WBC) and differential leucocyte cell count; thrombocyte count; haematocrit (PCV); haemoglobin concentratio n; mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and me an corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Blood chemistry parameters measured were: total protein; albumin; globulins; glucose; urea; uric acid ; triglycerides; cholesterol; calcium; phosphorus; magnesium; sodium; potas sium and chloride concentrations and the activities of aspartate amino tran sferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT). Compared to the values p ublished for other ophidian species, RBC count, PCV and WBC count in Bothro ps ammodytoides are lower than in most of the crotalids. Total protein and glucose concentrations are lower, whereas uric acid concentration, AST and ALT levels are higher than the values reported for other species.