Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals of free-living Red-Tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) nestlings on Rasa Island, Paraná, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The Red-Tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) is an endangered species of the Psittaciformes. There is little information about hematologic and biochemical variables of this species. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine hematologic and biochemical RIs for free-living A brasiliensis nestlings on Rasa Island, Paraná, Brazil, and to compare the results between sexes. METHODS: Thirty-seven parrots were taken from their nests and physically restrained for clinical examination and blood collection. The sex was diagnosed by PCR using the blood samples collected. Reference intervals were determined as recommended by the ASVCP guidelines in healthy nestlings. The difference between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test or Student's t-test. RESULTS: Sexing revealed 12 females and 25 males. The RIs for the measured variables were as follows: RBC 1.1-2.6 × 106 /µL, PCV 29.1-50.3%, HGB 7.2-12.9 g/dL, MCV 152-293 fL, MCHC 22.2-28.4 g/dL, WBC 4.9-28.5 × 103 /µL, 1.2-16 × 103 /µL, lymphocytes 2.4-18.7 × 103 /µL, monocytes 0.0-1.0 × 103 /µL, eosinophils 0.0-0.9 × 103 /µL, 0.0-1.3 × 103 /µL, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio 0.0-2.2, plasma total solids 2.1-3.7 g/dL, uric acid 0.5-2.0 mg/dL, glucose 184.9-284.3 mg/dL, AST 100.3-226.6 U/L, LDH 178.1-927.7 U/L, CK 149.8-1144.0 U/L, cholesterol 137.5-256.9 mg/dL, total protein 1.8-3.0 g/dL, calcium 7.0-8.6 mg/dL, and phosphorus 2.9-6.1 mg/dL. Increased concentrations of cholesterol (P < .05) were observed in females. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to establish hematologic and biochemical RIs for free-living A brasiliensis nestlings on Rasa Island. Hematologic and biochemical variables are important tools for evaluating the health status of free-living birds, and also support conservation planning for endangered species.

Laminar lesions in horses with systemic oxidative stress, committed by experimentally induced or naturally occurring gastrointestinal disorders / Lesões laminares em cavalos com estresse oxidativo sistêmico, acometidos por doenças gastrintestinais experimentalmente induzidas ou de ocorrência natural

Laminitis in horses can be associated with lesions in multiple organs secondary to sepsis. Twenty-one horses suffering from gastrointestinal disorders were used in the experiment; 7 horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia and intestinal ischaemia, and 14 horses suffering from naturally occurring colic syndrome. Tissue samples of lungs, liver, heart, brain, cerebellum and hoof laminar tissue were collected for histopathological and oxidative stress evaluation using nitrotyrosine and superoxide dismutase (SOD2) immunostaining. The horses were divided into two groups: the non-oxidative lesions group (NOLG), with 7 horses showing weak immunostaining in lungs, liver and kidney, and the oxidative lesions group (OLG), with 14 horses showing immunostaining indicating systemic oxidative stress in multiple organs. The horses from OLG showed increase of laminar lesions and SOD2 immunostaining in multiple organs when compared to the horses from the NOLG. No differences were found ln regard to laminar immunostaining by nitrotyrosine and SOD2 between experimental groups. It was concluded that systemic oxidative stress can be associated with the development of laminar lesions, and that the laminar tissue does not respond to oxidative stress with increase of SOD as occurs in other organs.(AU)

A laminite em equinos pode estar associada à lesão em múltiplos órgãos secundária a sepse. Foram utilizados 21 cavalos com afecções gastrintestinais, sendo sete com endotoxemia e isquemia intestinal induzidos experimentalmente, e 14 cavalos com síndrome cólica de origem natural. Amostras teciduais de pulmão, rim, fígado, coração, cérebro e cerebelo e de tecido laminar do casco foram coletadas para avaliação de lesão histopatológica e estresse oxidativo, pela imunomarcação de nitrotirosina e superóxido dismutase (SOD2). Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo sem lesão oxidativa (NOLG), com sete cavalos com fraca imunomarcação em pulmão, fígado e rim, e grupo lesão oxidativa (OLG), contendo 14 cavalos com imunomarcação indicando estresse oxidativo em múltiplos órgãos. Os cavalos do grupo OLG apresentaram aumento de lesões laminares e imunomarcação para SOD2 em múltiplos órgãos, quando comparados ao NOLG. Não houve diferença sobre a imunomarcação laminar para nitrotirosina e SOD2 entre os grupos experimentais. Conclui-se que o estresse oxidativo sistêmico está associado ao desenvolvimento de lesões laminares, e que o tecido laminar não responde ao estresse oxidativo com aumento de SOD como ocorre nos outros órgãos.(AU)

Reference intervals for biochemical analytes of captive Black-Fronted Piping-Guan (Aburria jacutinga).

BACKGROUND: Black-Fronted Piping-Guan (Aburria jacutinga) is considered one of the most threatened bird species on the American continent. Ex situ conservation efforts have been developed in Brazil, and monitoring the health status of these populations is essential to ensure reproductive success in captivity. Reference intervals (RI) for biochemistry analytes from a larger population of Black-Fronted Piping-Guan are unavailable. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at establishing RI for biochemical analytes of captive Black-Fronted Piping-Guan for future improved health assessments in these animals. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 32 adult Black-Fronted Piping-Guans for serum and plasma separation. Liver and kidney function markers, and concentration of protein and lipids were measured. Reference intervals were determined using an Excel program with Reference Value Adviser (version 2.0). RESULTS: The RI of the analytes were: AST 20.7-188.0 U/L; CK 713.7-4741.4 U/L; LDH 360.7-1173.7 U/L; γ Glutamyl Transferase 1.1-5.4 U/L; total plasma protein 3.5-6.2 g/dL; total serum protein 1.7-4.7 g/dL; uric acid 0.9-19.2 mg/dL; urea 7.0-25.3 mg/dL; cholesterol 71.8-232.2 mg/dL; triglycerides 25.6-183.4 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: The RI are similar to the ones published for other avian species. Only CK and uric acid values were in discordance with the usually reported avian ranges. This could be due to different methods of capture and physical restraint. Alternatively, some differences could be species-specific. In general, physical restraint should be limited to a minimum and without stress to prevent capture myopathy and death.