Age-related hematology and plasma chemistry changes in captive Masai ostriches (Struthio camelus massaicus)

• Published in: Comparative clinical pathology 2011-12, Vol.20 (6), p.659-667
• Main Authors: Samour, Jaime, Naldo, Jesus, Libanan, Nelson, Rahman, Habeeb, Sakkir, Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hematology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Pathology
• ISSN: 1618-5641; 1618-565X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00580-010-1054-x

Blood samples were obtained from ostrich chicks every month during a complete calendar year to assess age-related hematology and plasma chemistry changes. Hematology analyses included total red blood cell count, hemoglobin estimation, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, total white cell count, differential white blood cell count, and thrombocyte count. Most hematology variables studied showed significant age-related differences during the development of the ostrich chicks up to 12 months of age, with the exception of eosinophil and basophil counts. Plasma chemistry analyses included alkaline phosphatase, amylase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, creatinine, creatine kinase, gamma glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, iron, phosphate, total protein, and uric acid. All plasma chemistry variables studied showed significant age-related differences during the development of the ostrich chicks up to 12 months of age.