Establishment of blood chemistry reference intervals for Arbia goats, including values in phases of reproduction

AbstractPlatypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) inhabit the permanent rivers and creeks of eastern Australia, from north Queensland to Tasmania, but are experiencing multiple and synergistic anthropogenic threats. Baseline information of health is vital for effective monitoring of populations but is currently sparse for mainland platypuses. Focusing on seven hematology and serum chemistry metrics as indicators of health and nutrition (packed cell volume (PCV), total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides), we investigated their variation across the species’ range and across seasons. We analyzed 249 unique samples collected from platypuses in three river catchments in New South Wales and Victoria. Health metrics significantly varied across the populations’ range, with platypuses from the most northerly catchment, having lower PCV, and concentrations of albumin and triglycerides and higher levels of globulin, potentially reflecting geographic variation or thermal stress. The Snowy River showed significant seasonal patterns which varied between the sexes and coincided with differential reproductive stressors. Male creatinine and triglyceride levels were significantly lower than females, suggesting that reproduction is energetically more taxing on males. Age specific differences were also found, with juvenile PCV and TP levels significantly lower than adults. Additionally, the commonly used body condition index (tail volume index) was only negatively correlated with urea, and triglyceride levels. A meta-analysis of available literature revealed a significant latitudinal relationship with PCV, TP, albumin, and triglycerides but this was confounded by variation in sampling times and restraint methods. We expand understanding of mainland platypuses, providing reference intervals for PCV and six blood chemistry, while highlighting the importance of considering seasonal variation, to guide future assessments of individual and population condition.

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Reference intervals for Cu, Mg, and Zn in captive gyrfalcons and other falcon species in the United Arab Emirates

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/10406387211015655 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104063872110156

Author(s):

Lucia Pappalardo ◽

Christu-Das Silvanose ◽

Hugues Beaufrère ◽

Ambilli Binoy ◽

Panagiotis Azmanis

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Significant Variation ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Plasma Chemistry ◽

Clinical Pathology ◽

Blood Chemistry ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Intangible Cultural Heritage ◽

Health And Wellness ◽

American Society

Falconry is a long-standing tradition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and in 2016, falconry was included by UNESCO in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The health and wellness of falconry raptors is a priority for the local culture; plasma chemistry analysis plays an important role in monitoring, assessing, and managing diseases in avian patients. Imbalances of Cu, Mg, and Zn have been linked to several diseases in avian species; therefore, determining the reference intervals (RIs) of these minerals has important implications in the clinical management of falcons. We determined the RIs in plasma for Cu, Mg, and Zn in captive (falconry-managed) falcons according to the Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards Committee of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology, and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Blood chemistry analyses were carried out on 252 clinically healthy falcons examined at the Dubai Falcon Hospital in the UAE: 124 gyrfalcons ( Falco rusticolus) and 128 falcons of other species. We observed no significant variation in RIs of Cu (1.5–7.0 µmol/L), Mg (0.49–0.78 mmol/L), or Zn (11.8–34.1 µmol/L) based on different species or sex.

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