Clinicochemical values for adult free-ranging pronghorns

Abstract

Clinicochemical parameters for 106 free-ranging, adult pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) trapped in southeastern Alberta were obtained in 1973 and 1974. Mean calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium values were 11.62 g/dl, 2.46 g/dl, 6.42 g/dl, 167.01 mequiv./ℓ and 6.99 mequiv./ℓ, respectively. Values for serum enzymes displayed great variation and in many cases were extremely elevated; mean values for glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (EC 2.6.1.2), creatine phosphokinase (EC 2.7.3.2), and alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) were 251.45 Reitman–Frankel units (R.F.u.)/ml, 1820 R.F.u./ml, 432.09 IU/dl, and 4.63 King–Armstrong units (K.A.u.)/ml, respectively. Similarly, extensive variation in serum chemistry was observed for cholesterol, glucose, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen with mean values of 42.97, 249.95, 11.60, and 42.82 mg/dl, respectively. Mean serum protein was 7.32 g/dl and the albumin: globulin ratio averaged 1.97; data on electrophoretic fractionation of serum proteins are presented. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in clinicochemical values were associated with year of sampling, age, and sex of animals, and duration of processing delay. Handling stress was believed to have a strong influence on observed clinicochemical values.