Reference values of biochemical and hematological parameters for Guizhou minipigs

The pig is not only an economically important livestock animal but is also a valuable model animal for biomedical research and xenotransplantation. Reference values for clinical biochemical and hematological parameters are required for accurate data interpretation while using a pig model. In this study, whole blood samples were collected from 54 healthy Chinese Guizhou minipigs. We analyzed routine biochemical and hematological parameters and special coagulation parameters, including thrombelastography and coagulation factor activities, and have presented the baseline values of these parameters. These data provide valuable information for investigators using minipigs as animal models in biomedical studies and useful physiological data for veterinarians and livestock producers. We also compared all the results for the minipigs with the corresponding data from healthy humans. The bilirubin, uric acid and cholesterol levels of minipigs were significantly lower than those of humans (14%, 0.086% and 48% of human levels, respectively), whereas the serum enzyme levels were much higher than those in humans (e.g. the hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase levels of the minipigs were 19- and 8.4-fold higher than the human reference values). The red blood cell counts, platelet counts and white blood cell counts of the minipigs were significantly higher than those of the humans. The coagulation activities of factor VII and factor X were higher in minipigs than in humans. The significant differences observed between minipigs and humans for many of these parameters suggest substantial interspecies disparities in organs and tissues. These differences merit greater attention in biomedical research involving minipigs, particularly in the area of pig-to-human transplantation.