Blood concentrations of d‐ and l‐lactate in healthy rabbits

• Published in: Journal of small animal practice Vol. 55; no. 9; pp. 451 - 456
• Main Authors: Langlois, I, Planché, A, Boysen, S. R, Abeysekara, S, Zello, G. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; blood gases; blood serum; centrifugation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - veterinary; Female; Lactates - blood; liquid chromatography; Male; Prospective Studies; rabbits; Rabbits - blood; Reference Values
• ISSN: 0022-4510; 1748-5827
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12247

OBJECTIVES: To determine whole blood and serum concentrations of l‐lactate and serum concentrations of d‐lactate in healthy rabbits and compare three methods of analysis for l‐lactate measurement. METHODS: Prospective study using 25 rabbits. Concentrations of whole blood l‐lactate were measured using a portable analyser and a blood gas analyser. The remainder of the sample was allowed to clot for centrifugation. Serum was stored at −20°C for determination of l‐ and d‐ lactate by high‐performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: d‐lactate values by high‐performance liquid chromatography were 0 · 17 ± 0 · 08 mmol/L. l‐lactate values were 5 · 1 (±2 · 1) mmol/L by high‐performance liquid chromatography, 6 · 9 (±2 · 7) mmol/L with the portable analyser and 7 · 1 (±1 · 6) mmol/L with the blood gas analyser. No significant difference (P > 0 · 05) was found between the two analysers. Significant difference existed between serum l‐lactate values obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography and the whole blood values obtained with the blood gas analyser (P < 0 · 01) and portable analyser (P < 0 · 05). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Serum concentrations of d‐lactate in healthy rabbits are in the range of those of other mammals. l‐lactate values in healthy rabbits are higher compared with other mammals. Good correlation was found between the portable and blood gas analysers for whole blood l‐lactate measurement in healthy rabbits.