Blood platelets of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

The blood platelet count and platelet morphology of 22 adult cheetahs was investigated. The platelet counts of the animals displayed a normal distribution, with a mean count of 344 x 10(9)/l and a mean platelet volume of 11 fl. Morphological and ultrastructural features of the cheetah platelets revealed the typical platelet morphology of anuclear cells, with granules scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The characteristic surface canalicular system and microtubules were present. True cross-sections of the platelets had a mean area of 2.146 mum(2), circumference of 6.805 mum, and mean minimum and maximum projections of 1.000 mum and 2.933 mum, respectively. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.