Evaluation of critical care blood analytes assessed with a point-of-care portable blood analyzer in wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs and the influence of phlebotomy site on results.
OBJECTIVE
To establish reference ranges for critical care blood values measured in wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs by use of a point-of-care (POC) blood analyzer and to compare values on the basis of species category (pelagic, benthic, or intermediate) and phlebotomy site.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
66 wild and 89 aquarium-housed elasmobranchs (sharks and rays).


METHODS
Aquarium-housed elasmobranchs were anesthetized for sample collection; wild elasmobranchs were caught via hook and line fishing, manually restrained for sample collection, and released. Blood was collected from 2 sites/fish (dorsal sinus region and tail vasculature) and analyzed with the POC analyzer. Reference values of critical care blood analytes were calculated for species most represented in each population. Values were compared on the basis of species categorization (pelagic, intermediate, or benthic) and collection site.


RESULTS
Oxygen saturation and circulating concentrations of lactate and glucose were significantly different among aquarium-housed pelagic, intermediate, and benthic species. Lactate concentration was significantly different among these categories in wild elasmobranchs. Significant differences were detected between samples from the 2 collection sites for all blood analytes. In both study populations, pH and lactate values were infrequently < 7.2 or > 5 mmol/L, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Brevity of handling or chemical restraint may have reduced secondary stress responses in fish because extreme variations in blood analyte values were infrequent. Sample collection site, species categorization, acclimation to handling, and restraint technique should be considered when assessing values obtained with the POC analyzer used in this study for blood analytes and immediate metabolic status in elasmobranchs.
John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA. lnaples@sheddaquarium.org
Lisa M
LM
Naples
Natalie D
ND
Mylniczenko
Trevor T
TT
Zachariah
Rachel E
RE
Wilborn
Forrest A
FA
Young
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003422:Critical Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018940:Elasmobranchii / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007773:Lactates / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012016:Reference Values; D012754:Sharks / Q000097:blood; D013045:Species Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000662:veterinary
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007773:Lactates; D010100:Oxygen