216 HAEMATOLOGY OF CAPTIVE BONNET MACAQUES (Macaca radiata) M.Palanivelrajan 1 , M.G. Jayathangaraj 2 , R.Sridhar 3 and M. Parthiban 4 Department of Wildlife Science Madras Veterinary College Chennai-600 007 *part of M.V.Sc., Research Work submitted by the first author to Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai - 600 051 1- M.V.Sc Student 2- Professor & Head, 3-Associate Professor - Department of Wildlife Science & 4- Associate Professor - Department of Animal Biotechnology The haematological values are very helpful for understanding the state of animal health under captive conditions. However, very little information is available on the haematological parameters for Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata). Thus, the present study describes the haematological values of captive Bonnet macaques in India. Blood samples were collected from three males and three females macaques maintained at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, age 3 to 7 years. Blood was collected from saphenous vein as quoted by Wallach and Boever (1983) and Fowler (1986), subsequent to the restraint of the animals with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride was used at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg body weight respectively. Blood samples were subsequently transferred to vacutainer tubes containing EDTA for assessment of haematology related profile. The Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was measured, using Wintrobe haematocrit method and was observed for one hour, and the reading was taken as mm/hr. The haemoglobin (Hb) was measured by acid-haematin method using haemoglobinometer and expressed in gram per cent. Packed cell volume (PCV) was estimated using microhaematocrit tube and was expressed in percent. Total red blood cell count (RBC) and white blood cell count (WBC) was done using the haemocytometer and expressed as millions per cmm and thousands per cmm respectively. The smears were fixed in methanol. Leishman's stain were used for carrying out differential leukocyte count. Erythrocyte indices like Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated. The haematological examination was carried out as per the methods described by Schalm et al. (1975). The mean standard error values are given in the table 1 and 2. In this study, the values of RBC obtained were found to be higher than the ones reported by Kessler and Rawlins (1983). The differences in the nutrient levels of various feed materials offered to these Bonnet macaques at Arignar Anna Zoological Park and the metabolic rate could be assigned for the increased values obtained in this study. Literatures pertaining to ESR value in Bonnet macaques are generally less. Wider variations were encountered by many authors, with regard to MCV, MCH and MCHC levels in case of non-human primates. The differential counts are failed to make any significant variations either in between the male and female macaques. The differential count revealed increased presence of lymphocytes than neutrophils, in general. This Tamilnadu J. Veterinary & Animal Sciences 7 (3) 216-217, July - August, 2011