Biochemical and haematological values in venous blood of captive red deer (Cervus elaphus) at high altitude

Abstract

Biochemical values were determined in venous blood of 30 and haematological values in 60 red deer of average body mass 53.9 kg, aged 5 months, kept on pasture in Central Mexico at the altitude of 2 450 m. In blood samples from jugular vein of clinically healthy animals without sedation, the average serum concentrations were as follows: urea 6.32 mmol/L, glucose 5.09 mmol/L, Na+ 142.3 mmol/L, K+ 7.03 mmol/L, Cl- 100.5 mmol/L, Ca2+ 2.12 mmol/L, inorganic P 2.41 mmol/L, Mg2+ 0.91 mmol/L, Cu 9.86 μmol/L, Zn 16.97 μmol/L and activity of AST 54.3 IU/L and creatine kinase 221 IU/L. Blood pH was 7.41, pCO2 37.7 mm Hg, actual bicarbonate 24.3 mmol/L, base excess 0.73 mmol/L, total CO2 25.3 mmol/L, haemoglobin 156 g/L, PCV 0.47 L/L, leukocytes 4.8 x 109/L and plasma protein 66.0 g/L. Biochemical and haematological values determined in red deer at the altitude above 2000 m are the first reference and can be used for health control and diagnosis of diseases.