title: Blood and Plasma Biochemistry Reference Intervals for Wild Juvenile American Alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis ).
abstract: : American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis ) are one of the most studied crocodilian species in the world, yet blood and plasma biochemistry information is limited for juvenile alligators in their northern range, where individuals may be exposed to extreme abiotic and biotic stressors. We collected blood samples over a 2-yr period from 37 juvenile alligators in May, June, and July to establish reference intervals for 22 blood and plasma analytes. We observed no effect of either sex or blood collection time on any analyte investigated. However, our results indicate a significant correlation between a calculated body condition index and aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase. Glucose, total protein, and potassium varied significantly between sampling sessions. In addition, glucose and potassium were highly correlated between the two point-of-care devices used, although they were significantly lower with the i-STAT 1 CG8+ cartridge than with the Vetscan VS2 Avian/Reptile Rotor. The reference intervals presented herein should provide baseline data for evaluating wild juvenile alligators in the northern portion of their range.
authors.affiliation: 1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA;|2 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: 1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA;|2 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA;
authors.forename: Caitlin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kupar
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 101 Rouse Life Sciences, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA;
authors.forename: Meghan D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kelley
authors.affiliation: 1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA;|3 Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 101 Rouse Life Sciences, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA;
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Finger
authors.affiliation: 1 Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA;
authors.forename: Tracey D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Tuberville
mesh_terms: D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001798:Blood Proteins; D001823:Body Composition; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D001798:Blood Proteins; D006454:Hemoglobins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D014527:Uric Acid; D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D011188:Potassium; D010100:Oxygen; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Alligator mississippiensis; American alligator; point-of-care; reference intervals; stress