Blood chemistry reference intervals of captive Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus)

Abstract

Data on blood chemistry values can make fundamental contributions to our understanding of physiological changes. However, there is a lack of information regarding blood chemistry in Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus). Thus, the objects of this study were to determine reference ranges for 29 blood chemistry variables, and to evaluate differences between age groups and between seasons. Blood samples (n = 138) were collected from 44 (20 males, 24 females; age range, 1-15 years) clinically healthy, captive Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in the Republic of Korea. Young and adult bears showed significantly higher levels of creatinine and total cholesterol, and lower levels of blood urea nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB during hibernation compared to during non-hibernation. Adults also showed significantly higher levels of triglyceride, but lower levels of inorganic phosphorus, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and creatine phosphokinase during hibernation than during non-hibernation. During hibernation, the urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio and levels of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase in young bears were significantly higher than in adults, whereas creatinine levels were lower than in adults. During non-hibernation, the urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio and levels of calcium, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase and creatine kinase MB in young bears were significantly higher, whereas creatinine, total protein, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase and haemoglobin levels were lower than in adults. The results of this study provide reference values that will aid in understanding the physiology of Asiatic black bears and in assessing the health of these animals in captive environments.Keywords: Asiatic black bear; reference ranges; hibernation; blood chemistry; captivity; health assessment List of abbreviations ALB = albumin, ALP = alkaline phosphatase, ALT = alanine aminotransferase, AMY = amylase, AST = aspartate aminotransferase, BUN = blood urea nitrogen, CKMB = creatine kinase MB, CPK = creatine phosphokinase, CRE = creatinine, CRP = C-reactive protein, DBIL = direct bilirubin, GGT = gamma-glutamyl transferase, GLU = glucose, Hb = haemoglobin, HDLC = high density lipoprotein cholesterol, IP = inorganic phosphorus, LDH = lactate dehydrogenase, TBIL = total bilirubin, TCHO = total cholesterol, TG = triglyceride, TP = total protein, U/C = blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio, UA = uric acidBlood chemistry values can play a fundamental role in facilitating an understanding of physiological changes and in assessing potential health problems at both individual and population levels (Geffre et al. 2009;Friedrichs et al. 2012). Previously, blood chemistry data have been report-

Selected blood biochemical indicators of Cherry Valley ducks undergoing fattening in relation to their diet and sex

“…For optimum inclusion of white lupine seeds in the diet for fattening mallard ducks its effect on animal health must be assessed, and blood indicators may be informative with respect to their specific effects on a given organism. In this respect, blood biochemistry indicator values can play an important role in understanding physiological changes in animals (Yang et al 2017). The preventive role of blood biochemistry examination in birds consists of monitoring the status of an organism and of studying the physiological functions of the individual organs; both plasma and serum may be used.…”

Does hard mast production affect patterns of cementum annuli formation in premolar teeth of Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus)?

“…Moreover, generally following years of good mast production are years of poor mast production [15]; therefore, for the subadult period, the frequency of false annuli formation may increase in poor mast years. During the early stages of life history, the body is growing rapidly [20, 42], and energy intake, including from hard mast, may be used for the growth of bones and the development of permanent teeth after their eruption; in adult period, this energy is used primarily for fat accumulation. The light bands of cementum generally develop later in younger animals because their body growth periods are longer throughout the year than those growth periods for older bears [1, 43].…”

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Hematological and plasma profiles and ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus)

“…Additionally, serological studies have detected several pathogens in bears in America and Europe [9][10][11][12]. However, information on the hematology and serum biochemistry of Asiatic black bears is limited, except for a few studies on captive bears in Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea [13][14][15].…”