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Serum biochemical analytes in captive Amazonian manatees ( Trichechus inunguis )
Author(s) -
de Mello Daniela Magalhães Drummond,
da Silva Vera,
Rosas Fernando
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2011.00297.x
Subject(s) - amazonian , manatee , biology , zoology , fishery , ecology , amazon rainforest
Background: Establishment of reference values for serum biochemical analytes is important for monitoring health and physiological status of captive animals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure and report ranges for serum biochemical analytes in Amazonian manatees ( Trichechus inunguis ). Methods: Blood samples were collected from 24 healthy captive Amazonian manatees that comprised a mixture of adults, subadults, and calves and males and females; serum analytes were measured and analyzed using a dry reagent bench‐top chemical analyzer. Comparisons were made between sexes and with previously published values of closely related species. Results: Medians and ranges (minimum–maximum) of values for the analytes were: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 151 (111–278) U/L ( n =20); creatine kinase, 144 (76–315) U/L ( n =11); alanine aminotransferase, 10 (2–28) U/L ( n =18); aspartate aminotransferase, 14 (5–28) U/L ( n =21); γ‐glutamyltransferase, 47 (36–73) U/L ( n =21); amylase, 1428 (1010–1874) U/L ( n =21); alkaline phosphatase, 73 (36–141) U/L ( n =19); total protein, 6.8 (6.2–8.0) g/dL ( n =24); albumin, 3.3 (2.6–4.1) g/dL ( n =21); cholesterol, 188 (101–399) mg/dL ( n =21); triglycerides, 126 (60–236) mg/dL ( n =21); glucose, 47 (22–69) mg/dL ( n =21); urea, 43 (21–69) mg/dL ( n =21); uric acid, 1.1 (0.5–1.8) mg/dL ( n =22); creatinine, 2.2 (1.5–3.3) mg/dL ( n =22); total bilirubin, 0.2 (0.2–2.0) mg/dL ( n =21); calcium, 12.7 (10.2–18.6) mg/dL ( n =24); iron, 282 (207–457) μg/dL ( n =13); and magnesium, 6.9 (4.3–8.9) mg/dL ( n =20). With the exception of LDH, no differences were observed between sexes. Conclusions: The ranges obtained in this study provide important preliminary estimates for concentrations and activities of serum analytes in Amazonian manatees until a larger reference interval study can be conducted.