Clinical chemistry values and tissue enzyme activities in western barred bandicoots (Perameles bougainville).
BACKGROUND
The western barred bandicoot, Perameles bougainville, is an endangered Australian marsupial species whose survival is threatened by a papillomatosis and carcinomatosis syndrome. Investigations to characterize this syndrome would benefit from species-specific clinical chemistry data.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine plasma biochemical reference values and to determine enzyme activities in various tissues of P. bougainville.


METHODS
Heparinized blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture from 53 clinically healthy bandicoots of both sexes and at 3 geographic locations. Plasma was analyzed for routine clinical chemistry variables using an automated biochemistry analyzer. Tissues obtained following humane euthanasia of 3 bandicoots were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), alpha-amylase (AML), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities.


RESULTS
Significant differences in the results were found for animals based on geographic location and sex; hence, results were expressed as minimum and maximum values. A population reference interval was calculated for AST activity (20-283 U/L). ALT was found mainly in the liver, with lower levels in cardiac and skeletal muscle and kidneys. AST was detectable in many tissues, including the heart, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system; CK was found in skeletal and cardiac muscle and central nervous system; AML was found in the pancreas; and GGT was found mainly in kidneys with lower levels in the intestines and pancreas.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings will facilitate the interpretation of clinical chemistry results from P. bougainville and thereby inform population management and clinical decision-making.
Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA, Australia. m.bennett@murdoch.edu.au
Mark D
MD
Bennett
Lucy
L
Woolford
Amanda J
AJ
O'Hara
Philip K
PK
Nicholls
Kristin S
KS
Warren
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000201:enzymology; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000378:metabolism*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase