Biochemical and Haematological Values in Venous Blood of Farmed Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) at High Altitude

Abstract

Red deer, venous blood, biochemical values, haematology, high altitudeIn recent years red deer has been farmed in Mexico. Some biochemical and haematological analytes have been described in this species, however, their values depend mainly on nutrition, management and environmental conditions. Biochemical and haematological values are important for monitoring of health status and diagnosis of diseases. Great differences were described in values of plasma analytes, especially in concentrations of Na + and K + in red deer ( W ilson and Pauli 1983;Knox et al. 1988;Hargreaves and Matthews 1995).The objective of this study was to determine biochemical and haematological values in venous blood of farm red deer in central Mexico at the altitude of 2 450 m. Materials and MethodsBlood biochemical values were determined in 30 red deer (Cervus elaphus) (15 males, 15 females) and haematological values in 60 animals (30 males and 30 females) aged 5 months, average body mass 53.9 kg without clinical signs of disease. The animals were kept on pasture in the Valley of central Mexico at the altitude of 2 450 m. The climate was moderate, rainy during summer, with average temperature between 5 and 14 °C. The pasture was composed of rye grass, orchard, kikuyo, white clover and alfalfa. Daily calculated dry matter consume was 2.06 kg per animal. During sampling the animals without sedation were gently restrained in standing position, in a small pen, with covered eyes and plugged ears.Samples of blood were taken from jugular vein into plain tubes for biochemical analyses, into tubes containing EDTA k3 for haematological analyses and in syringes previously coated with 2 per cent heparin Na for determination of acid-base values. The air bubbles were expelled from the syringe immediately after blood collection and then the needle was inserted into a rubber stopper to prevent exposure of sample to air. The sealed syringes after collection were immersed in a mixture of ice and water.

Clinical chemistry of farmed red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) yearling hinds reared on grass or <i>papillonaceous</i> pasture paddocks in Hungary

“…The TP concentrations of both groups fall into the reference range of red deer (54-81 g/l), as reported by Kent et al (1980). Rosef et al (2010) reported on a lower TP interval (63.6-66.3 g/l) for free living deer in Norway, while high altitude (2 450 m) keeping (Mexico) led to higher values (50-80 g/l, Padilla et al 2000). Based on the above-mentioned results it was stated that elevated dietary protein content can significantly increase serum protein concentration of farmed red deer hinds.…”

“…To estimate the nutritional status and growth performance of Cervidae, blood sampling is the most widely used method (Reindeer and Svalbard Reindeer: Säkkinen et al 2001, reindeer: Ropstad et al 1997, Soppela et al 2008, Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): Gaspar-López et al 2009, Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni): Wolfe et al 1982, red deer: Rosef et al 2010, Soetrisno et al 1994, Kent et al 1980, Padilla et al 2000. Säkkinen et al (2001) proposed serum urea and creatinine and their quotient to estimate protein and energy intake.…”

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

“…The copper levels, however, are lowest among females and highest among stags, possibly because females excrete copper in the milk. Padilla et al (2000), however, found low serum Cu (9.86 µmol/L) values in young red deer kept on pasture. Values less than 8 µmol/L are below the critical level for Cu deficiency (Mackintosh et al, 1987).…”

Pasture productivity, cattle productivity and metabolic status following fertilization of a grassland with liquid hog manure: A three-year study

“…Serum alkaline phosphatase concentration was above the expected normal range (41 to 116 U L (1 ; MAFRI, Veterinary Services Branch, Winnipeg, MB) and was higher (P 00.001) in steers grazing Control pastures relative to those on manured pastures. The implications of such high levels of alkaline phosphatase in steers on Control pastures are not immediately clear; however, alkaline phosphatase is generally used as an indicator of bone disease and liver failure (Padilla et al 2000). Serum alkaline phosphatase concentration was negatively correlated with serum urea N (r0(0.52; P 00.001).…”

“…Concentration of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase, an indicator of liver damage (Quintavalla et al 2001), was higher (P 00.006) in steers on Split pastures, with no difference between steers on Control and Single pastures. Aspartate amino transferase is primarily used to diagnose and monitor the course of liver disease (Padilla et al 2000). Serum aspartate amino transferase concentration was highest (P 00.028) in steers on Split pastures, lowest on Control pastures, with intermediate values in steers on Single pastures (Table 4).…”