Haematological and serum biochemical reference values in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus atlanticus)

Authors

  • Olav Rosef Department of Environmental and Health Studies, Telemark University College, N-3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway.
  • Håvard L. Nystøyl Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 6204, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway.
  • Tore Solenes Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 6204, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway.
  • Jon M. Arnemo Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 6204, N-9292 Tromsø, Norway, and Department of Forestry and Wilderness Management, Hedmark University College, N-

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/2.24.2.304

Keywords:

chemical immobilisation, haematology, minerals, serum biochemistry

Abstract

Analyses of haematological and biochemical constituents were carried out on the Norwegian subspecies of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus atlanticus). All animals were captured from January to March by using a mixture of xylazine and tiletamin-zolazepam. Immobilisation was performed with plastic projectile syringes fired from a dart gun. Fourteen haematological parameters were analysed. There were no differences in the values between hinds and stags and between adults and calves (P > 0.01). Of the 22 biochemical compounds investigated there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between calves and adults for lactate dehydrogenase (LD), globulin, beta globulin, gamma globulin, and the minerals Na, K, Mg, Zn, Ca, and P. Differences (P < 0.01) between hinds and stags were found in cholesterol, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin and Cu. The blood values determined in this study can be used as reference values for this red deer subspecies immobilised with a mixture of xylazine-tiletamin-zolazepam for health control and diagnosis of diseases.

Abstract in Norwegian /Sammendrag:

Hematologiske og biokjemiske parametere er analysert på norsk frittlevende hjort (Cervus elaphus atlanticus). Hjorten ble immobilisert i tidsrommet januar til mars ved hjelp av et spesialgevær ladet med plast kanyler som inneholdt en blanding av xylazin og tiletamin-zolazepam. Det var ingen forskjeller i de14 undersøkte hematologiske verdiene mellom hinder, kalver og bukker (P>0,01). Av de 22 biokjemiske parametrene som ble undersøkt var det en signifikant forskjell mellom kalver og voksne (P<0,01) når det gjelder laktat dehydrogenase, globulin, beta globulin, gamma globulin og mineralene Na, K, Mg, Zn, Ca og P. Det var en signifikant forskjell mellom hinder og bukker (P<0.01) på parametrene kolesterol, gamma glutamyl transferase, alfa-1 globulin, alfa-2 globulin og Cu. Blodverdiene som ble målt i dette studiet kan bli brukt som referanseverdier for norsk hjort som er immobilisert med blandingen xylazin-tiletamin-zolazepam for helsekontroll og for diagnostisering av sykdommer.

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Published

2004-04-01

How to Cite

Rosef, O., Nystøyl, H. L., Solenes, T., & Arnemo, J. M. (2004). Haematological and serum biochemical reference values in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus atlanticus). Rangifer, 24(2), 79–85. https://doi.org/10.7557/2.24.2.304

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