Blood Platelets of the African Elephant

Platelet counts of 22 elephants varied between 229×109 and 622×109/L. Light microscopy showed the platelets to be small, while electron microscopy revealed well preserved but activated platelets with some morphological differences from other mammalian platelets. Dense bodies, α-granules, glycogen and mitochondria were present in most sections. Microtubules and the surface connecting canalicular system appeared to be absent, but numerous filamentous structures and Golgi bodies were observed.