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Plasma biochemistry RIs and age effect in European Strigiformes
Author(s) -
Agusti Montolio Susana,
Cuenca Valera Rafaela,
Lavín González Santiago,
Cray Carolyn,
Molina López Rafael,
Ferron Emmanuel Serrano,
Francisco Olga Nicolás,
Marco Sánchez Ignasi,
CasasDíaz Encarna
Publication year - 2018
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/vcp.12559
Subject(s) - biology , blood chemistry , nocturnal , zoology , endocrinology , ecology
Background Blood biochemistry and hematology are essential in the laboratory diagnosis of disease. In Strigiformes, little information regarding reference values and influence of different preanalytic factors is available, while age is known to have an effect on some biochemistry analytes, especially in early life characterized by a rapid growth rate and increase in body mass. Objective The objective of this study was to determine baseline data for 29 blood biochemistry variables in 5 species of Iberian Strigiformes assigned to different age classes. Methods Healthy nocturnal birds living in wildlife health centers of Catalonia, Northeastern Spain were assigned to different age classes (chicks, juveniles, adults where possible and available) and their blood was collected and analyzed for different standard biochemistry variables. Species included Tawny owls, Little owls, Long‐eared owls, Scop owls, and Barn owls. Results A total of 276 clinically healthy animals were sampled, including between 179 chicks, 52 juveniles, and 45 adults. The RI s of cholesterol, albumin, and osmolality were the only variables that did not show interspecific variability. Common trends between age class groups were observed in 4 species. Phosphorus and calcium concentrations and ALP activities decreased with increasing age, while concentrations of sodium and γ‐globulins tended to increase in the Strigidae family. Differences were concentrated in chicks and no differences were observed between juveniles and adults in any variable. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the importance of defining biochemical RI s specific for certain age classes