Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Values of Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

Abstract

The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhyncus hyacinthinus), considered the largest psittacine bird species in the world, is an endangered species, with a remaining population of approximately 6500 birds in the wild. To establish hematologic and plasma biochemical reference ranges and to verify differences related to sex, samples from 29 hyacinth macaws (14 males, 15 females) were obtained from birds apprehended from illegal wildlife trade and subsequently housed at the Sorocaba Zoo, Brazil. No significant differences in hematologic or plasma biochemical values were found between females and males. Compared with published reference values, differences were found in mean concentrations of total red blood cell count, corpuscular volume, corpuscular hemoglobin level, total white blood cell count, aspartate aminotransferase level, creatine kinase concentration, alkaline phosphatase concentration, and phosphorus level. Baseline hematologic and plasma biochemical ranges were established, which may be useful as reference values for clinicians working with this endangered species in captivity or rehabilitation centers.

Eggshell biliverdin concentration does not sufficiently predict eggshell coloration

“…those who acquire necessary nutrients throughout the breeding period). However, biliverdin is unlikely to be subject to either of these constraints, as biliverdin is produced via a single enzymatic conversion from heme, which is found at concentrations of nearly 4 M in some birds (Kolesnikovas et al ). Thus, limitations of biliverdin deposition are likely to be driven by heme oxygenase expression (Wang et al ), access to heme that is liberated from erythrocytes, the concentration of molecules facilitating transportation or deposition of biliverdin between the site of generation and deposition (Sparks ), or if biliverdin truly has a systemic antioxidant function (Moreno and Osorno ).…”

Establishing hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for the endangered Lear's macaw (Anodorhynchus leari)

“…Using hematologic and biochemical RVs and RIs from different species to evaluate birds from the Psittacidae family is a common practice 12 . Yet, when comparing the RIs of A. hyacinthinus 11,12 with the ones obtained in the present study, several differences were noticed, even though several measurands were similar, which is the case of RBCs, WBC, and WBC differential counts. But, in some cases, the LRL was smaller for A. hiacinthinus than for A. leari , which is the case of the PCV values (35% and 43%, respectively).…”

Molecular diagnosis of avian viruses in grassland passerines and captive yellow cardinals Gubernatrix cristata in Brazil

“…Such database can act as reference for monitoring as well as for future evaluation of these birds. It can potentially also underpin management decisions (release, reintroduction and population reinvigoration), thus contributing towards conservation initiatives among threatened taxa (Kolesnikovas et al 2012). The yellow cardinal, Gubernatrix cristata, is among the threatened passerines inhabiting the "Parque Estadual do Espinilho", they are also found in the savannas of Argentina and Uruguay, however its natural history is relatively unknown (Jaramillo 2020).…”