Hibernation perturbs the number of hemocytes and causes hematological turnover: basal traits to understand season-dependent physiological variations in Helix pomatia (Gastropoda: Helicidae)

Authors

DAMIR SULJEVIC
ERNA ISLAMAGIC
ALEN HAMZIC
NADJA ZUBCEVIC
ANDI ALIJAGIC

DOI

10.3906/zoo-1801-30

Abstract

The total number of hemocytes and their morphological characteristics were analyzed in Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758, by light microscopy during different phases of hibernation. Three types of hemocytes were identified: hyalinocytes, agranulocytes, and granulocytes. Total number of hemocytes decreased significantly during hibernation. Most intensive changes in cell size, morphology, and appearance of special structures in granulocytes happened during the hibernation period itself. Termination of hibernation coincides with very important granulocyte transformation and the appearance of specific gigantic short-lived cells. All of the changes in cell number and morphology are characteristics of different hibernation phases and have a major role in adaptive hypothermia. Granulocytes are hemocytes of great importance in immune response while specific functions of hyalinocytes and agranulocytes remain largely unexplored.

Keywords

Helix pomatia, hemocytes, hibernation, hyalinocytes

First Page

243

Last Page

249

Recommended Citation

SULJEVIC, DAMIR; ISLAMAGIC, ERNA; HAMZIC, ALEN; ZUBCEVIC, NADJA; and ALIJAGIC, ANDI (2019) "Hibernation perturbs the number of hemocytes and causes hematological turnover: basal traits to understand season-dependent physiological variations in Helix pomatia (Gastropoda: Helicidae)," Turkish Journal of Zoology: Vol. 43: No. 2, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.3906/zoo-1801-30
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/vol43/iss2/12