Comparative research of the effect of vitamins A and E on the differential leucocyte count and the morphometric parameters of lymphocytes in carnivorous mammals (Carnivora)

The study of the effect of vitamins A and E on total and differential leukocyte count as well as morphometric parameters of lymphocytes in three carnivorous species — dark-brown American mink (Neovison vison, Mustelidae), blue fox (Vulpes lagopus, Canidae) and silver fox (V. vulpes, Canidae) was conducted. The highest total leukocyte count (WBC) and the largest surface area of lymphocytes and their nuclei in the peripheral blood were observed in mink, the lowest indices were found in silver fox. Supplementation with vitamins A and E for 14 days had no effect on the WBC and differential leukocyte count with the exception of decreasing in relative eosinophils and monocytes content in silver fox receiving vitamin E. The action of vitamins was mainly manifested in changes in the morphometric parameters of lymphocytes. Additional vitamin A in mink and silver fox and vitamin E only in mink led to an increase in the surface area of lymphocytes, and in some cases their nuclei, which was accompanied by a rise in the size of cell cytoplasm in mink. In blue fox, on the contrary, both vitamins brought about a decrease in the surface area of the lymphocytes and their nuclei. The observed changes may be related to the immunomodulatory effects of vitamins A and E, the found differences may be associated with the features of the morpho-functional organization of lymphocytes and the immune status of the studied species of carnivorous mammals.

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