Blood acid–base and plasma electrolyte values in healthy ostriches: The effect of age and sex

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 87; no. 1; pp. 26 - 28
• Main Authors: Bouda, J., Núñez-Ochoa, L., Ávila-González, E., Doubek, J., Fuente-Martínez, B., Aguilar-Bobadilla, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01.08.2009; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Acid-Base Equilibrium - physiology; Acid–base and electrolyte values; Aging - physiology; Animals; Anion gap; Blood; Electrolytes - blood; Female; Male; Ostrich; Sex Characteristics; Strong ion difference; Struthioniformes - blood; Veterinary medicine; Strong ion difference; Acid–base and electrolyte values; Ostrich; Anion gap; Blood
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2008.12.011

The effect of age and sex on blood acid–base and plasma electrolyte values was determined in venous blood samples from 45 clinically healthy ostriches ( Struthio camelus) from 26 days to 6 years of age. Animals were divided by age into four groups and the group of adults was divided by sex into two subgroups. Blood samples were collected without sedation. There was a significant ( P < 0.05) age difference in blood values of base excess (BE), plasma HCO 3 - , total CO 2 (TCO 2), Na +, K +, Cl − and anion gap (AG). The highest plasma concentrations of Na +, Cl − and value of AG were found in adult ostriches with a steady decrease to chicks. A significant ( P < 0.05) sex difference in adult animals with higher blood pH, lower blood values of pCO 2, BE, plasma concentrations of HCO 3 - , TCO 2 and K + was found in females. We concluded that blood acid–base values and plasma electrolyte concentrations in ostriches are affected by age and sex.