ABSTRACT This work intended to analyze the hematological and hemoglobin profiles of Brazilian white-tailed hawks (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) kept in captivity at a local Zoo in Brazil, to facilitate the diagnosis of animal sanity. All the available specimens were included in this work. Four adult healthy specimens were used, and blood was obtained from the right jugular vein. Red and white cells were counted using a Neubauer-counting chamber, and hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration were determined using standard methods. Blood smears were observed with light microscopy. Hemoglobins were purified using gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography, and oxygen-binding procedures were performed by a spectrophotometric-tonometric method. The basic hematological data are: 3.0 x 106 RBC/μL, 11.7 x 103 leukocytes/μL, a 45% hematocrit and 10.5 ± 0.4 g/dL of hemoglobin. The number of heterocytes was 3.0 ± 1.2 x 103/μL, lower than reported for other birds and the numbers of monocytes and eosinophils were larger. Basophile and lymphocyte counting did not display differences with the values available for the white stork, eagles, and vultures. Platelets’ number (161.2 ± 42.2 x 103/μL) was higher than the value reported for the imperial eagles and great bustards. Two major hemoglobins (Hb) that share in their composition a globin were isolated by chromatography. Both Hbs displayed a normal Bohr Effect, cooperative O2-binding and a significant O2-affinity lowering induced by phosphates. Hb1 showed lower O2-affinity compared to Hb2, and phosphate-binding induces significant changes in O2-affinity in both Hbs. Hematological data are compatible with other avian species, and this is the first report related to hematology and hemoglobins for healthy specimens of Geranoaetus albicaudatus.
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