Plasma biochemical reference intervals for koi.
OBJECTIVE
To assess reproducibility of an in-house tabletop biochemical analyzer for measurement of plasma biochemical analytes and establish reference intervals in adult koi.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
71 healthy adult koi.


METHODS
Plasma was analyzed for concentrations or activities of albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bile acids, BUN, calcium, cholesterol, creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, globulin, glucose, K, Na, P, total bilirubin, total protein, and uric acid. Duplicate samples were evaluated by use of the intraclass correlation coefficient to determine reproducibility. To assess the magnitude of differences between replicate samples, the absolute mean difference, SD, and minimum and maximum values were calculated for each analyte. Median values and reference intervals were calculated.


RESULTS
Intraclass correlation coefficient values were excellent for all analytes except alanine aminotransferase (good), Na (poor), gamma-glutamyltransferase (poor), and P (poor). Reference intervals were established.


CONCLUSIONS
The in-house tabletop biochemical analyzer had good precision for measuring most plasma biochemical analytes. Further research and comparison with other reference procedures are needed before reference intervals and precision can be established for globulin, Na, P, K, and albumin. Aquatic veterinarians may be able to use the reference intervals for adult koi as an important diagnostic tool or as part of a fish wellness program, as commonly done in other domestic species.
Palmeiro
Brian S
BS
Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Rosenthal
Karen L
KL
Lewbart
Gregory A
GA
Shofer
Frances S
FS
D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D002347:Carps / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity