title: Hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals for wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial threatened with extinction by a fatally infectious cancer known as devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Conservation efforts including captive breeding and island translocations are underway to address this threat.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to determine hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals (RI) to aid in health assessment of Tasmanian devils, and to examine seasonal, sex, reproductive status and age variations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected jugular blood samples from individual wild Tasmanian devils at 2 different locations over a 2-year period to determine hematologic and serum biochemical RI by nonparametric methods using the central 0.95 fraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 307 blood samples were collected from 187 devils. Significant age differences were found for ALP, CK, cholesterol, calcium, phosphate, albumin, globulins, albumin: globulin ratio, and glucose. Significant differences between sexes were observed for AST, creatinine, and potassium. Significant seasonal or reproductive status variation in adult males or breeding females were observed for PCV, HGB, RBC, MCHC, MCH, MCV, neutrophils and lymphocytes, fibrinogen, total plasma protein, AST, ALP, ALT, GLDH, bilirubin, urea, calcium, chloride, total protein, albumin, A:G, and glucose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many of the differences observed between subgroups can be explained by growth requirements, reproductive demands, and seasonal effects on activity. This study has determined comprehensive RI for the Tasmanian devil, which will be used to assess animals targeted for captive breeding and translocations, or affected by DFTD.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Wildlife Management Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.affiliation: School of Agricultural Science, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corkrey
authors.affiliation: School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamede
authors.affiliation: School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
authors.forename: Menna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canfield
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001835:Body Weight; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D056727:Endangered Species; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000097:blood*; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004573:Electrolytes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D008903:Minerals
keywords: Clinical pathology; health assessment; marsupial; wildlife