Chapter 5: Evaluation of Leukocytic Disorders

Question 1

Why is the term “granulocytes” preferred over polymorphonuclear leukocytes in veterinary medicine?

Answer 1

Most reptiles do not have nuclear segmentation and it’s less pronounced in birds.

Question 2

What are the granules in granulocytes?

Answer 2

Lysosomes containing hydrolytic enzymes, antibacterial agents, & other compounds.

Question 3

At what stage of maturation do secondary granules appear within leukocyte precursors?

Answer 3

Myelocyte

Question 4

What further categorization do granular lymphocytes likely represent?

Answer 4

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes or natural killer (NK) cells

Question 5

Group the following species circulating blood #s into either of the two categories: 1) neutrophils > lymphocytes in health, 2) lymphocytes > neutrophils in health. Dog, cat, horse, cow, sheep, rodent, goat, pig.

Answer 5

Dog, cat, horse: N > L

Cow, sheep, rodent, goat, pig: L > N

Question 6

Why are there typically more neutrophils in circulation than lymphocytes immediately after birth?

Answer 6

Increased blood cortisol increases # of neutrophils & decreases # of lymphocytes.