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

Abstract

The total number of hemocytes and their morphological characteristics were analyzed in Helix pomatia Linnaeus, 1758, bylight microscopy during different phases of hibernation. Three types of hemocytes were identified: hyalinocytes, agranulocytes, andgranulocytes. 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 hibernationcoincides with very important granulocyte transformation and the appearance of specific gigantic short-lived cells. All of the changesin 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 remainlargely unexplored.