Morphologic appearance of peripheral blood cells from Zovawk pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) visualized by transmission electron microscopy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ultrastructural information regarding the peripheral blood cells of local (Zovawk) pigs from Mizoram, India, is not available in the scientific literature. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to reveal the fine structural details of the blood cells from these local pigs using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 12 healthy Zovawk pigs of either sex and processed according to a standard protocol. Processed blood samples were then sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, for further processing and imaging under TEM. Different types of blood cells were viewed under TEM, and different characteristics of these cells were assessed. RESULTS: In the present study, erythrocytes are elongated, biconcave, and nucleated without cytoplasmic organelles. Neutrophils are round with 2-5 lobed nuclei surrounded by cytoplasm with an indistinct bilayered nuclear membrane. The cytoplasm is packed with membrane bound round, oval, and elongated cytoplasmic granules. Eosinophils are round to oval with 2-3 lobed nuclei with distinct nuclear membranes. Basophils are spherical and contained small, medium, and large electron-dense granules. Lymphocytes are small, medium, and large and contained all cellular components. Monocytes are irregularly spherical with slight nuclear indentations. The platelets are elongated, oval, or rounded, with a few pseudopods at the cell surface. CONCLUSIONS: From the present study, we can conclude that the ultrastructural morphology of blood cells from Zovawk pigs resembles those of other domestic animals. However, a few differences have been observed.