ABSTRACT
Anticoagulants used for hematologic studies have certain advantages and disadvantages. The anticoagulant most commonly used in avian hematologic studies and usually the anticoagulant of choice is ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Others that are also employed are lithium heparin and sodium citrate. Employing the erythrocytes of the pigeon Columba livia to monitor the effects of sodium heparin, EDTA, sodium citrate and sodium oxalate on derived hematocrits F. le R. Fourie observed that heparin did not influence hematocrit values the first 24 hours but caused an increase in the Hct after that interval. This could have been due to swelling of the erythrocytes. No hemolysis was detected during the 24 hour observation period. F. J. Dein describes the “unusual reaction” of some birds to the EDTA in concentrations of 1–2 mg/mL of blood in the following manner. After approximately 15 minutes, the blood becomes dark and viscous.
