title: Plasma chemistry reference values in ostriches.
abstract: Reference values for 18 plasma chemical variables in blue neck ostriches (Struthio camelus australis, n = 60, age 24-36 mo) were established for use in veterinary clinical practice using nonparametric statistics. The following values were established for the percentiles P2.5 and P97.5: sodium 147-157 mmol/L, calcium 2.4-4.8 mmol/L, inorganic phosphate 1.3-2.3 mmol/L, chloride 94-105 mmol/L, glucose 10.3-13.7 mmol/L, urea 0.5-0.8 mmol/L, uric acid 351-649 mumol/L, bile acids 8-33 mumol/L, total protein 39-56 g/L, albumin-globulin ratio 0.45-0.59, osmolality 304-330 mOsm/kg, alkaline phosphate 69-217 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 243-418 IU/L, gamma-glutamyltransferase 0-1 IU/L, creatine kinase 1648-4894 IU/L, glutamate dehydrogenase 8-17 IU/L, and lactate dehydrogenase 860-2236 IU/L. The plasma calcium concentration was significantly (P < 0.001; r = 0.74) related to the total protein concentration and an adjustment-formula for calcium was derived: adjusted Ca (mmol/L) = Ca (mmol/L)--0.09 TP (g/L) + 4.4. The influence of blood sample treatment on the plasma potassium concentration as seen in other avian species was demonstrated in a separate experiment, emphasizing the need to separate plasma and cells immediately after collection in avian blood samples.
authors.affiliation: Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 8, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F A L M
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Verstappen
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lumeij
authors.forename: R G G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bronneberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D011506:Proteins; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium