Survey of plasma and liver mineral concentrations and enzyme activities in ostriches (Struthio camelus) under farmed conditions in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To generate clinical biochemical data to aid diagnosis of suboptimal performance in ostriches farmed under pastoral systems in New Zealand.


METHODS
Blood and liver samples were sought from three categories of bird, viz 3-12-week-old chicks, 7-12-month-old growers, and from breeding hens, managed under pastoral conditions on farms in several locations in New Zealand. Concentrations of the minerals Ca, PO4, Mg, Na, K, Cu and Zn, activities of the enzymes gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and concentrations of total protein (TP) and uric acid and vitamin E in plasma and Se in whole blood were determined from four flocks of chicks, two flocks of growing and one flock of breeding birds. Concentrations of Cu, Fe and vitamin B12 were determined from liver samples from chicks and growing birds. Bodyweight was recorded at the times of blood-sampling, where this was feasible.


RESULTS
It proved impossible to obtain blood samples by venepuncture of the radial vein from chicks <3 months of age. Plasma concentrations of minerals, with the exception of K, which were higher, were within the normal range observed in the literature for ratite species. Activities in plasma of AST and CK were almost double, and those of LDH similar, to those in the literature for ostriches. There was considerable variation in activities of the enzymes between farms, but no association with growth performance. Concentrations of Cu in plasma were lower and in liver were higher than would be expected in farmed ruminants. Though hindgut fermenters, the birds maintained concentrations of vitamin B12 in plasma and liver at least comparable to those observed in ruminants.


CONCLUSIONS
Collection of blood samples by venepuncture via the wing in ostrich chicks younger than 3 months of age is difficult and unlikely to prove viable for routine diagnostic purposes. Clinical biochemistry data on mineral nutrients in ostriches farmed in New Zealand are similar to those in the literature from South Africa , but AST and CK are higher, and may be normal and a reflection of the high growth rates of the musculoskeletal system.
Belfast Veterinary Clinic, Belfast, Christchurch, New Zealand.
K F
KF
Thompson
S
S
Lucas
J M
JM
Furlong
A R
AR
Sykes
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D009520:New Zealand; D012016:Reference Values; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
D008903:Minerals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase