Transport of American bullfrogs in plastic boxes with and without moistened foam: plasma biochemistry and erythrogram responses

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate two transportation methods on the plasma biochemistry and erythrogram responses bullfrogs. The animals were transported for 10 hours in boxes without and with moistened foam. Then, the frogs' condition was evaluated 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after transportation. There was no mortality. The glucose in frogs, in both transportations, increased at 0 and 12 hours and returned to basal levels at 24 hours. Triglyceride increased in animals 0 and at 6 hours, in both transportations. After 12 hours, frogs transported with foam recovered, while the without foam recovered after 24 hours. Plasma proteins and globulins increased in frogs at 0 hours, under both transportations. After 48 hours, there was a reduction in plasma proteins in frogs transported without foam. Globulins decreased 24 hours in frogs transported without foam and after 48 hours under both transportations. Albumin increased in animals at 12, 24, and 48 hours. Frogs transported with foam had high albumin. The albumin/globulin ratio increased in frogs evaluated 24 and 48 hours, in both transportations. The number of erythrocytes was higher in frogs evaluated 0 hours, in both transportations, and recovered 6 and 12 hours in transported with and without foam, respectively. Hematocrit and hemoglobin were higher in frogs evaluated 0 hours and recovered after 6 hours, in both transportations. MCV increased in frogs transported with foam 48 hours after transportation. MCH decreased in frogs evaluated 12, 24, and 48 hours, in both transportations. In bullfrogs transported with foam, MCHC was lower.