The blood leukocytes and platelets of little ground squirrels (<i>Spermophilus pygmaeus</i> Pall.) during hibernation and arousal

During hibernation, mammals periodically go through cold (torpor) and warm (awakening) phases. Previously, a sharp decrease in the levels of leukocytes and blood platelets in the torpid state was found, but the dynamics of their changes during arousal remains unknown. We have studied the content and composition of the circulating cells of the little ground squirrel during arousal. The number of all types of leukocytes and platelets in the torpid state is significantly reduced. Restoration of the level of leukocytes in the blood during arousal occurs in two phases: fast (Tb 10—20°C) and slow (Tb 20—37°C). Unlike other cell types, the content of neutrophils remains below euthermal condition after body temperature recovery. During arousal in the Tb range of 10—30°C, the level of platelets increases linearly, while the normalization of the P-LCR parameter does not occur.