Does breeding status influence haematology and blood biochemistry of yellow-legged gulls?
We compared the haematological and biochemical values within a population of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) in the Chafarinas Islands (Northern Africa), in non-breeding (February) and breeding (May) animals. We collected blood samples from 51 adults. We found that according to the haematological data, there was a significant variation in haemoglobin content, and a higher proportion of heterophils, thrombocytes, and Haemoproteus infection in breeding individuals with a lower level in basophils. Blood biochemistry showed a higher level in plasmatic proteins, calcium, phosphorus, thiobarbituric acidreactive substances and alkaline phosphatase as well as alanine aminotransferase activity in breeding animals while cholesterol and phospholipid levels showed a lower level. There was also a sexual difference in triglycerides, albumin, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and alkaline phosphatase activity. Hence, the haematological and blood chemistry values of yellow-legged gulls showed some differences between breeding and non-breeding individuals as well as between sexes.
Departamento de Fisiología Animal II (Fisiología Animal), Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, E-28040 Spain. mantonio@bio.ucm.es
Maria T Antonio
MT
Garcia
Y
Y
Hermosa
J I
JI
Aguirre
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000418:Albumins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods; D001947:Breeding; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006405:Hematology / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D012737:Sex Factors; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000418:Albumins; D010743:Phospholipids; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014280:Triglycerides; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase