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1. Basic haematological values in the peripheral blood of four male and 13 female mountain reedbucks (Reduncula fulvorufula) have been repeatedly estimated. 2. Comparing these results for both sexes, we noted pronouncedly lower haematocrit values and haemoglobin contents in females (statistical significance less than or greater than 1%). In the white blood cells only an increased proportion of neutrophils in females was apparent. 3. We have been unable to find seasonal related differences in the red and white blood overall picture of the cells during the summer and winter seasons with the exception of raised red cell counts and increased proportion of monocytes in the winter. The presented findings are compared and discussed with those abstracted from the literature.

Comparison of mean erythrocyte counts, mean haematocrit values, mean haemoglobin content and mean corpuscular volume of the red cell is presented for 21 species of antelopes (four species being excluded because of the small number of animals investigated). A direct relationship of haematocrit values and haemoglobin content and an inverse relationship of red cell counts and mean corpuscular volume of the erythrocytes were noted. The significance of an increased total surface area for oxygen exchange is discussed and values obtained in the red blood picture are compared with those of domesticated animals (cattle, goat and sheep) taken from the literature. Mean leukocyte counts were found to be in the human range with the exception of two species, but significantly lower than in domesticated artiodactylids. Problems in assessing the general health, the age, the effect of diet and of environment in captivity are discussed. Problems of methodology, especially of blood sampling, are given comparing results in manually restrained and in sedated animals.

Basic haematological values in 32 animals of five species were estimated after administration of sedating agents. In all species under investigation, a time-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts, haematocrit values and haemoglobin content was noted during the first 30 min after sedation, for the following 30 min the lowered values remained essentially without any change in zebras. Derived parameters, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular Hb concentration and mean corpuscular volume did not change during the period of observation. Only insignificant changes in leukocyte count and in the proportion of lymphocytes and neutrophiles were registered. The shortest possible time between sedation and blood sampling is recommended to minimalize a distortion especially in the red blood picture.

Basic haematological values in 49 animals of five species of the subfamily Hippotraginae, namely the roan antelope Hippotragus equinus, sable antelope Hippotragus niger, adax antelope Addax nasomaculatus, gemsbok oryx Oryx gazella gazella and scimitar horned oryx Oryx damah and in 51 individuals of five species in the subfamily Tragelaphinae, including the bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus, nyala Tragelaphus angasi, greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, cape eland Tautotragus oryx and bongo Bocercus euryceros are reported. The erythrocyte counts were in the range of 12.62 X 10(12)/l in the gemsbok oryx to 6.44 X 10(12)/l in the bongo, the haematocrit values varied from 0.488 in the nyala to 0.380 in the roan antelope and for the haemoglobin highest levels (164.0 g/l) were noted in the adax antelope, and the lowest (105.5 g/l) in the bongo. Leukocyte counts were found mostly in the normal human range and varied from 7.17 X 10(9)/l in the adax antelope to 4.05 X 10(9)/l in the nyala, only in the greater kudu decreased values of 3.02 X 10(9) were estimated. These results are compared with findings taken from the literature, and with the normal human range.

Basic haematological values in 13 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer caffer), 11 cows and 2 bulls, and in 2 red buffaloes (Syncerus caffer nanus), 1 bull and 1 cow, are reported. In the African buffalo, the erythrocyte count--mean 9.76 X 10(12) 1(-1)--ranged from 6.72 to 12.42 X 10(12) 1(-1), the haematocrit values--mean 0.391--varied from 0.32 to 0.47 and the haemoglobin content--mean 148.17--was in the range from 122.1 to 172.5 g 1(-1). For the red buffalo only individual values are given. In the African buffaloes, the leukocyte counts--mean 7.39 X 10(9) 1(-1)--ranging from 5.1 to 12.4 X 10(9) 1(-1) were slightly increased compared with man. For the red buffalo only individual values are reported. These values are compared with data abstracted from the literature for related buffalo species. The age-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts and the age-dependent rise of the eosinophile proportion in the differential count are discussed.

1. Basic haematological values in 165 Cameroon goats (Capra hircus) are reported. 2. The erythrocyte count, mean 14.36 x 10(12) l-1, ranged from 8.24 to 24.7 x 10(12) l-1; the haematocrit values, mean 0.304, varied from 0.20 to 0.38; the haemoglobin content, mean 113.4 g/l, was in the range from 83.0 to 143.0 g/l and the leukocyte count, mean 13.67 x 10(9) l-1, had lowest and highest values between 5.4 and 24.5 x 10(9) l-1. 3. Comparing these blood constituents in 47 male and 118 female Cameroon goats we demonstrated statistically significant lower values of the haematocrit and haemoglobin content and a statistically significant higher proportion of lymphocytes in the female animals. 4. In 16 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant female Cameroon goats, all animals older than 3 years, no statistically significant differences of the red blood picture were noted. 5. Also in three groups, assorted according to age, no significant changes in basic haematological parameters were seen. 6. During one year follow-up of some haematological parameters, statistically significant seasonal changes were found. 7. All presented data are compared with values abstracted from the literature and discussed.

1. Basic haematological values in 34 animals of eight carnivorous species are reported. 2. In four Northern lynxs (Lynx lynx lynx), two male and two female animals, the mean values are given: erythrocyte counts 8.51 X 10(12)/l, haematocrit 0.392/l, haemoglobin content 148.0 g/l and leukocyte count 7.92 X 10(9)/l. 3. In six male pumas (Puma concolor missolensis) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 9.35 X 10(12)/l, haematocrit 0.43/l, haemoglobin content 163.9 g/l and leukocyte count 7.73 X 10(9)/l. Individual values in one female puma are also given. 4. In six jaguars (Panthera onca), three male and three female animals, the mean values are given: erythrocyte count 8.27 X 10(12)/l, haematocrit 0.37/l, haemoglobin content 137.1 g/l and leukocyte count 15.15 X 10(9)/l. 5. Only individual values are reported in one clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), in one leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), in one Corbett's tiger (Panthera tigris Corbetti) and in one Altaic tiger (Panthera tigris Altaica). 6. In four lions (Panthera leo leo), two male and two female animals, the mean estimated values are: erythrocyte count 10.14 X 10(12)/l, haematocrit 0.462/l, haemoglobin content 159.0 g/l and leukocyte count 11.05 X 10(9)/l. In six female cheetahs (Acinonox jubatus jubatus) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 7.86 X 10(12)/l, haematocrit 0.373/l, haemoglobin content 142.8 g/l and leukocyte count 8.65 X 10(9)/l. For three male cheetahs only individual values are reported. 8. All results achieved are compared with those abstracted from the literature and discussed.

Basic haematological values were measured in 50 individuals of five species falling under the subfamily Reduncinae, including the mountain reedbuck (Reduncula fulvorufula), the eastern waterback (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus), the defassa waterbuck (Kobus ellipsipyrmnus defassa), the lechwe waterbuck (Kobus leche) and the Lady Gray's waterbuck (Kobus megaceros) and in 45 animals of three species of the subfamily Antelopinae, including the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), the Grant's gazelle (Gazella Granti) and the dama gazelle (gazella dama). The highest mean erythrocyte counts were found in the male springbok: 11.72 X 10(12)/l, the lowest in the lechwe waterbuck: 8.39 X 10(12)/l, the mean haematocrit values varied from 0.538 in the lechwe waterbuck to 0.443 in the defassa waterbuck and the mean haemoglobin content ranged from 181.2 g/l in the male springok to 151.8 g/l in the defassa waterbuck. Leukocyte counts were mostly shown to be in the human range, in the subfamily Reduncinae at the lower limit; only in the mountain reedbuck decreased values of about 3.5 X 10(9)/l were demonstrated. These results are compared with information from the literature and with the normal human range.

Basic haematological values for 32 animals of four carnivore species are reported. In six adult wolves (Canis lupus) the mean values estimated for the erythrocyte count 7.48 X 10(12)/l, haematocrit 0.465/l, haemoglobin 172.0 g/l and leukocyte counts 7.33 X 10(9)/l are given. For five young wolves, these parameters were markedly decreased, only the white cell count was raised. In 14 hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus) the mean values estimated are: erythrocyte count 9.15 x 10(12)/l haematocrit 0.435/l, haemoglobin 179.2 g/l and leukocytes 12.95 X 10(9)/l. In six striped hyaenas (Hyaena hyaena) the mean estimated values are: erythrocyte count 8.11 X 10(12)/l, haemoatocrit 0.445/l, haemoglobin 178.0 g/l and leukocytes 13.95 X 10(9)/l. Only individual values for the reported parameters are given in the Asiatic black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus). All results are compared with values derived from the literature for animals under investigation and for the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).