title: Biochemical and hematologic reference intervals for free-ranging desert bighorn sheep.
abstract: Over 200 clinically normal desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) from multiple geographic areas were sampled utilizing a uniform protocol. The goals of this study were to develop comprehensive reference intervals for hematologic and biochemical analytes using central 90th percentile nonparametric analyses. Adult female sheep had greater erythrocyte mass (hemoglobin and hematocrit) compared with adult male sheep. Young animals < or = 1-yr-old had greater erythrocyte mass (hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell count), higher alkaline phosphatase activity, and lower serum protein and globulin concentrations compared with adult animals. Because of the large sample size, wide geographic range, and uniform sample and handling protocol in this study, these reference intervals should be robust and applicable to other free-ranging desert bighorn sheep populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Borjesson
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Boyce
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000097:blood*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood*