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All circulating blood cells are nucleated and it is not unusual to see mitotic figures in the peripheral circulation. The blood cells include erythrocytes, thrombocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, azurophils, [[Monocytes - WikiBlood|monocytes]] and lymphocytes.

All circulating blood cells are nucleated and it is not unusual to see mitotic figures in the peripheral circulation. The blood cells include erythrocytes, thrombocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, [[Azurophils|azurophils]], [[Monocytes - WikiBlood|monocytes]] and lymphocytes.

==Erythrocytes==

==Erythrocytes==

Reptilian erythrocytes are nucleated and may stay in the peripheral circulation for several years. They are elliptic and have a centrally located, basophilic nucleus. The homogeneous cytoplasm is translucent and light pink-orange. Intraerythrocytic parasites are not uncommon.  Erythrocytes are the most abundant cell in peripheral blood and peripheral blood smears. The cell count will vary depending on environmental conditions, nutritional status, sex (M>F) and season. Red cell parameters and indices are an important part of health assessment in reptiles.  

Reptilian erythrocytes are nucleated and may stay in the peripheral circulation for several years. They are elliptic and have a centrally located, basophilic nucleus. The homogeneous cytoplasm is translucent and light pink-orange. Intraerythrocytic parasites are not uncommon.  Erythrocytes are the most abundant cell in peripheral blood and peripheral blood smears. The cell count will vary depending on environmental conditions, nutritional status, sex (M>F) and season. Red cell parameters and indices are an important part of health assessment in reptiles.  

Monocytes are generally the largest leucocyte and have a lightly basophilic nucleus that is ovoid and indented (often bean shaped).  The cytoplasm usually stains bluish-grey, is finely to moderately granular and often vacuolated.  The monocyte range is generally between 0 and 10% of the differential and may increase in chronic infections.  Monocytes may not be routinely observed in peripheral blood smears of some species of snakes. They have been reported to appear with severe bacterial infections.

Monocytes are generally the largest leucocyte and have a lightly basophilic nucleus that is ovoid and indented (often bean shaped).  The cytoplasm usually stains bluish-grey, is finely to moderately granular and often vacuolated.  The monocyte range is generally between 0 and 10% of the differential and may increase in chronic infections.  Monocytes may not be routinely observed in peripheral blood smears of some species of snakes. They have been reported to appear with severe bacterial infections.

==Azurophils==

==Azurophils==

Mature azurophils are similar in size to heterophils and vary in shape from round to monocytoid in appearance. The nuclei are usually eccentric and the cytoplasm is bluish grey with azurophilic granules. Azurophils occur at relatively low numbers in healthy reptiles. They account for 3%–7% of the differential leucocyte count and rarely exceed 10%. There is debate over their nature.  Azurophils are increased in bacterial infection and cellular necrosis.   

Mature [[Azurophils|azurophils]] are similar in size to heterophils and vary in shape from round to monocytoid in appearance. The nuclei are usually eccentric and the cytoplasm is bluish grey with azurophilic granules. Azurophils occur at relatively low numbers in healthy reptiles. They account for 3%–7% of the differential leucocyte count and rarely exceed 10%. There is debate over their nature.  Azurophils are increased in bacterial infection and cellular necrosis.   

==Eosinophils==

==Eosinophils==

Eosinophils are large granulocytes with spherical, acidophilic, cytoplasmic granules. The number of eosinophils in the leucocyte differential is variable.  The nature of eosinophils in squamates is under debate and they may not be observed in the peripheral blood smears of some species of snakes.

Eosinophils are large granulocytes with spherical, acidophilic, cytoplasmic granules. The number of eosinophils in the leucocyte differential is variable.  The nature of eosinophils in squamates is under debate and they may not be observed in the peripheral blood smears of some species of snakes.