Effects of sex, age, body mass, and capturing method on hematologic values of brown bears in Croatia.
Effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors on 17 hematologic values from 56 brown bears (Ursus arctos) sampled in Croatia from 1981 to 2005 were evaluated. Differences between female and male bears were detected for number of erythrocytes, sedimentation rate after 30 min, and number of leukocytes and segmented neutrophils. Significant differences between free-living vs. captive and snared vs. not snared bears were detected for the same three parameters: leukocytes, segmented neutrophils, and eosinophils. It was concluded that the physical exertion of bears snared by leg, rather than their free-living status, influenced differences of results among these groups. The obtained mean values are useful reference values for the species.
Kusak
Josip
J
Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Rafaj
Renata Barić
RB
Zvorc
Zdravko
Z
Huber
Djuro
D
Forsek
Jadranka
J
Bedrica
Ljiljana
L
Mrljak
Vladimir
V
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D001503:Ursidae / Q000097:blood*