Analysis of Effect of Hyperthermia on White Blood Cells of Experimental Rats Using Geometric Morphometrics Method

An elevated temperature in the environment increases the core body temperature which stimulates thermoregulatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of elevated temperature on number and shape of leukocytes using descriptive statistics and geometric morphometrics. The study included 32 Wistar rats divided into two groups according to exposed temperature (41 degrees C and 44 degrees C) and more two subgroups in groups associated with death (antemortem and postmortem). Peripheral blood smears were performed before exposure to temperature and after exposure to temperature. The number of leukocytes was determined. Images of peripheral blood smears were taken, on which eight landmarks on the outside of leukocytes were marked in tpsDig program. In the MorphoJ program, we analyzed shape of leukocytes. The results showed significant differences in the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes in subgroup antemortem and in subgroup postmortem exposed to a temperature of 41 degrees C. In group exposed to a temperature of 44 degrees C, a significant difference was found in the number of all leukocytes, except monocytes in the antemortem subgroup, and except basophils and eosinophils in the postmortem subgroup. The results of geometric morphometrics shape analysis showed significant differences in the shape of lymphocytes between subgroups antemortem and postmortem.Exposure to elevated temperature resulted with number and shape changes of leukocytes.