Effect of age, sex, and body size on the blood biochemistry and physiological constants of dogs from 4 wk. to > 52 wk. of age

Abstract

Background Blood biochemistry and reference intervals help to differentiate between healthy and ill dogs as well as to provide information for the prognosis, evaluation, and monitoring; however, these intervals are often obtained from adult animals. It is essential to understand that puppies and adults are physiologically different, which justifies the need to obtain age-specific biochemical reference intervals. The aim of this research was to assess the potential effect of age, sex, body size, and their interaction on routine biochemical analytes and physiological constants (body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate). To carry out the research, we selected 197 healthy dogs of both sexes and different body sizes (small, medium and large) classified by age: group I (4–8 wk), group II (9–24 wk), group III (25–52 wk), and group IV (> 52 wk). The biochemical analysis included the measurement of the enzymatic activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, globulins, glucose, urea, and creatinine. Statistical analyses used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a general linear model (GLM), which allows the comparison of multiple factors at two or more levels (p < 0.05). Results The results of this study showed that ALT, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, and body temperature levels were lower in puppies than in adult dogs of group IV (p < 0.05), while the enzymatic activity of ALP, LDH, glucose concentration, and heart rate were higher. Whereas sex, body size and the interaction did not show a significant effect (p > 0.05). Conclusions Some biochemical components are influenced by age. For this reason, this manuscript contributes with additional data for the clinical interpretation of blood biochemical results in puppies.

The influence of sex and age on bone turnover markers in the adult to geriatric Kangal shepherd dogs

“…In the same study, age and gender were not reported to affect serum creatinine concentrations 37 . However, in another dog study, it was reported that while sex did not affect serum AST and ALT activities, or LDH and creatinine concentrations, age did 20 . In our study, there was no significant effect of age, sex, and age–sex interaction on serum creatinine, CK and ALT activities, or LDH, Mg, and P concentrations in serum biochemical analytes in Kangal shepherd dogs.…”

“…25 In addition, it was reported in this study that bone formation and resorption decreased with age, and resorption increased in aged dogs. 20 On the other hand, in studies conducted in humans, an increase in serum OC and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and a decrease in 25 hydroxy-vitamin D were reported in geriatric females, and it was reported that this contributed to the formation of bone diseases in geriatric patients. 30 in the kidney and intestine.…”

“…In veterinary medicine, plasma and/or serum biochemical profiles have been frequently employed to assess the clinical and metabolic status of individual animals as well as groups or herds. Previous research has shown that serum biochemical analytes in dogs change with physiologic factors, including age and sex 20,21 . The effects of age and sex on hormones, which regulate serum Ca concentrations, have also been demonstrated to affect bone metabolism in dogs 22 .…”

“…Previous research has shown that serum biochemical analytes in dogs change with physiologic factors, including age and sex. 20,21 The effects of age and sex on hormones, which regulate serum Ca concentrations, have also been demonstrated to affect bone metabolism in dogs. 22 However, the effects of age and sex on serum biochemical changes related to skeletal metabolism in Kangal shepherd dogs remain unclear.…”

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Testes after Non-Surgical Sterilization of Male Dogs with CaCl2 in Alcohol

“…None of dogs included in the study showed clinical symptoms of disease; hematological and hematochemical parameters were within the reference range for the canine species [ 25 , 26 ].…”