Hematology and blood chemistry values in free living imperial cormorants (Phalacrocorax atriceps)

GALLO LUCIANA; QUINTANA FLAVIO; SVAGELJ WALTER; UHART MARCELA

AVIAN DISEASES

AMER ASSOC AVIAN PATHOLOGISTS

Año: 2013 vol. 57 p. 737 - 743

0005-2086

As part of an on-going, long-term study on the reproductive ecology and health status of imperial cormorants (Phalacrocorax atriceps), blood samples were collected to establish baseline values for hematologic parameters (hematocrit, red and white blood cell counts, leukocyte profile, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, total solids) and serum chemistries (glucose, uric acid, urea,total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin:globulin ratio, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, calcium, phosphorus). One hundred and eighty-four male adults from the Punta Leo´n breeding colony in Patagonia Argentina were captured during the chick-rearing period of four breedingseasons, 2004 (n 5 48), 2005 (n 5 29), 2010 (n 5 43), and 2011 (n 5 64). All birds appeared to be in good body condition and no abnormalities were noted during physical examination. In general, values for the parameters reported in this study were similar to those previously described for other cormorant species. Significant interannual differences were observed in most healthparameters analyzed. This study defines baseline health parameters for imperial cormorants and, coupled with previous reports on pathogen exposure, contributes to our knowledge of the overall health status of the species.