Influence of pre-sampling handling duration on selected biochemical indices in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract

The effects of varying periods of pre-sampling handling (1.5 min, 3 min, 4.5 min, 6 min) on selected biochemical indices were monitored in a group of 8-9-month-old common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) kept at a pheasantry in Jinačovice, Czech Republic. The duration of pheasant handling (capture, restraint, and blood sampling) was positively correlated with plasma corticosterone (p<0.001) and lactate (p<0.05) levels. Negative correlations were found between the handling duration and glucose concentration (p<0.01), and aspartate aminotransferase level (p<0.05) in the blood plasma. A significant increase in corticosterone plasma concentrations and a decrease in glucose plasma concentrations were already found in blood samples taken after 3 min of capture in comparison to blood samples of pheasants taken within 1.5 min.