Reference values for organ weight, hematology and serum chemistry in the female ferret (Mustela putrius furo).
Organ Weight, hematologic and blood chemistry values were determined to establish reference values in the female ferret. Organ weight per kg body weight was calculated for various organs. Body surface area (BSA) was also determined by the direct method, and K values (constant) were calculated. The K value was 3.48 in the Dubois and Dubois equation, and 9.69 in the Meeh-Rubner equation. Blood samples were used to record 10 hematologic and 57 serum (plasma) chemistry values, and 7 immunological parameters. Among hematologic values, values whose coefficient of variation (cv) exceeded 30% were RBC, WBC and PLT. In blood chemistry, the CV of gamma-G, UA, ZTT, GPT, gamma-GTP, MAO, ALD and IgG exceeded 30%. In the total amino acid analysis, only the CV of TAU exceeded 30%. Electrophoretograms of amylase and CPK isozyme were quite different from those of humans. Although 1-MEHIS, 3-MEHIS and CAR have not been detected or are present in trace amounts in human plasma, concrete values were detected in female ferret plasma. Hematologic and serum chemistry values were in general agreement with normal values seen in cats and dogs. However, the alpha 1-G percentage, and ALP and amylase activities were lower than the corresponding values in cats and dogs. The RBC count, RET-C percentage and LDH activities were higher than in cats and dogs. Since there have been no comprehensive articles on reference values for the female ferret, the present report contributes to studies that involve this animal as an experimental model.
Laboratory Animal Center, Yamagata University, School of Medicine, Japan.
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Ohwada
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Katahira
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001827:Body Height; D001830:Body Surface Area; D001835:Body Weight; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values
D000596:Amino Acids; D001798:Blood Proteins; D000410:Alanine Transaminase