Hematologic, plasma protein, and biochemical profiles of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis).
OBJECTIVE
To establish hematologic and biochemical reference values for the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).


METHODS
31 captive, healthy, but permanently disabled pelicans and 35 wild-caught, healthy pelicans from a rehabilitation facility on the east coast of Florida.


METHODS
Samples of venous blood were collected from each pelican, and hematologic, plasma biochemical, and electrophoretic protein analyses were performed. Student t-tests were used to compare blood values between captive versus wild-caught, adult male versus adult female, and adult versus juvenile pelicans.


RESULTS
Hematologic and electrophoretic values were similar between male and female, adult and juvenile, and captive and wild-caught pelicans. Significant sex differences existed for plasma calcium and triglyceride concentrations. Plasma concentrations of calcium, cholesterol, and CO2 content differed between captive and wild-caught adults. No significant differences were found between wild-caught adult and juvenile pelicans.


CONCLUSIONS
Our plasma biochemical results are similar to those of other brown pelicans and confamilial species. Additional studies on seabirds are encouraged, as age, sex, reproductive status, feeding habits, and captivity are important variables for health assessment in this and other aquatic species.
Zaias
J
J
Department of Pathology, University of Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Fox
W P
WP
Cray
C
C
Altman
N H
NH
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002784:Cholesterol; D002118:Calcium