Hematologic and Biochemical Indices in the East African Baboon

Abstract

Hematologic values for peripheral blood and marrow, serum proteins, B12 and folic acid levels are given for recently caught and captive baboons (P. anubis and P.sinocephalus) in Nairobi.

The hemaglobin levels were higher in captive than in wild animals. There was no change in the serum proteins unless the animals were on a riboflavindeficient diet.

Marrow activity as estimated by counting red cell precursors as a percentage of the total nucleated red cell population agreed with that of red cell uptake of Fe59 ferric chloride.

Hemosiderin was present in the marrow in all the animals.

Protein turnover studies using I131-labeled albumin with ion exchange resins indicated that the protein catabolic rate and turnover was high. This may have been due to the selective destruction of the human albumin in the baboon.