BLOOD GAS, LACTATE, AND HEMATOLOGY EFFECTS OF VENIPUNCTURE TIMING AND LOCATION AFTER MIST-NET CAPTURE OF MOURNING DOVES (ZENAIDA MACROURA), BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES (QUISCALUS MAJOR), AND HOUSE SPARROWS (PASSER DOMESTICUS)

Abstract

Venous blood gas partial pressures, pH, bicarbonate and lactate concentrations, packed cell volume, white blood cell differential counts, and heterophil/lymphocyte ratios were measured from Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), Boat-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus major), and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). Birds were bled promptly after mist-net capture and banding or following a targeted delay of 45-60 min, in order to assess the impacts of a brief holding period commonly practiced in large-scale bird banding operations. Additionally, effects of venipuncture location (basilic [=ulnar] vein versus jugular vein) were evaluated in male Boat-tailed Grackles sampled promptly after capture and banding. All comparisons were with unpaired samples; no birds were subjected to more than one venipuncture. All three species exhibited moderate improvements in blood gas and acid-base status after the delay, with reductions in lactate concentrations with or without concurrent increases in pH and bicarbonate. Boat-tailed Grackles exhibited an increased proportion of heterophils in the differential white blood cell count following a delay in sampling, suggestive of a stress leukogram. There were no significant differences between basilic and jugular venipuncture results from male Boat-tailed Grackles. Most metabolic, respiratory, and acid-base alterations were minor, but a small number of birds exhibited values (e.g., temperature-corrected pH <7.3, lactate >10 mmol/L) that could be of concern if combined with other adverse conditions. For such birds, a short delay between capture and processing could benefit their blood gas and acid-base status, although loss of time foraging or feeding young and greater activation of the hypophyseal-pituitary-adrenal axis are additional considerations.

Venous hematology, biochemistry, and blood gas analysis of free-ranging Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) and Eastern Ratsnakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)

“…Increases in plasma lactate levels have been attributed to stressful events in both humans and avian species [7,8]. This increase in lactate concentration has also been reported in sea turtles following two separate capture techniques and during the manual restraint of free-ranging birds for banding and morphometric data collection [9][10][11]. Rising lactate concentrations often indicate anaerobic metabolism, thus lactate measurements by portable point-of-care analyzers may provide valuable information regarding decreased tissue perfusion and the physiological effects of exertion or restraint [12].…”

Venous blood gas in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) and effects of physiologic, demographic and environmental factors

“…Blood gases were not measured on visually lymph-contaminated samples, however, the possibility of inapparent lymph dilution cannot be ruled out. The timing of blood gas sampling relative to capture can also affect blood gas parameters ( Harms et al , 2003 , 2016 ; Innis et al , 2010 , 2014 ). Time of venipuncture relative to time of capture was not recorded in this study, but could be considered as another covariate in future studies involving free-living wildlife.…”

“…In wildlife, blood gas panels are employed primarily to evaluate the physiologic effects of capture/restraint techniques (e.g. Innis et al , 2014 ; Harms et al , 2016 ) and sedative/anesthetic protocols (e.g. Buss et al , 2015 ; Spriggs et al , 2017 ); with relatively infrequent application for population health assessment (e.g.…”

Effects of Midazolam on Corticosterone and Blood Gases in Spectacled Eiders Prior to Transmitter Implantation

“…Extreme physical exertion and elevations in blood lactate may accompany stress in captured birds (Allen and Holm 2008, Burgdorf‐Moisuk et al 2012, Harms and Harms 2012, Sexson et al 2014, Heatley et al 2015, Harms et al 2016). Lactate is produced in response to anaerobic cellular metabolism during extreme muscle exertion or other states of hypoxia or tissue hypoperfusion and concentrations increase with duration of physical exertion (Pang and Boysen 2007, Allen and Holm 2008, Burgdorf‐Moisuk et al 2012).…”