Normal Haematopoiesis, Cellular Components and M/E Ratio in the Bone Marrow of the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

In order to study the normal haematopoiesis, cellular components and M/E ratio in the bone marrow of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), bone marrow samples were collected from the proximal tibiotarsus bone of 16 clinically healthy adult turkeys. The bone marrow smears were stained using the Giemsa stain. The results indicated that the development and formation of blood cells in the bone marrow of turkey were similar to other birds, whereas the morphology of the cells was similar to chickens, ducks, quail, and black-head gull. The mean myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio was 1.21, the mean erythroid percentage was 42.43%, the mean myeloid percentage was 51.38%, and the mean percentage of all other cells percentage was 6.68 %. There was no significant difference in any of the cellular composition between male and female.