title: Hematology and blood chemistry values in free-living imperial cormorants (Phalacrocorax atriceps).
abstract: As part of an on-going, long-term study on the reproductive ecology and health status of imperial cormorants (Phalacrocorax atriceps), blood samples were collected to establish baseline values for hematologic parameters (hematocrit, red and white blood cell counts, leukocyte profile, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, total solids) and serum chemistries (glucose, uric acid, urea, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin:globulin ratio, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, calcium, phosphorus). One hundred and eighty-four male adults from the Punta Le6n breeding colony in Patagonia Argentina were captured during the chick-rearing period of four breeding seasons, 2004 (n = 48), 2005 (n = 29), 2010 (n = 43), and 2011 (n = 64). All birds appeared to be in good body condition and no abnormalities were noted during physical examination. In general, values for the parameters reported in this study were similar to those previously described for other cormorant species. Significant interannual differences were observed in most health parameters analyzed. This study defines baseline health parameters for imperial cormorants and, coupled with previous reports on pathogen exposure, contributes to our knowledge of the overall health status of the species.
authors.affiliation: Biología y Manejo de Recursos Acuáticos, Centro Nacional Patagónico-CONICET, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, U9120ACD, Chubut, Argentina. gallo@cenpat.edu.ar
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.affiliation: Biología y Manejo de Recursos Acuáticos, Centro Nacional Patagónico-CONICET, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, U9120ACD, Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quintana
authors.affiliation: Biología y Manejo de Recursos Acuáticos, Centro Nacional Patagónico-CONICET, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, U9120ACD, Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: Walter S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Svagelj
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Amenabar 1595, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, C1426AKC, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uhart
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons