Serological and haematological values in geriatric broad-breasted white turkeys

Blood samples from 1-, 5- and 10-year-old broad-breasted white turkeys were used to determine haematological and serum values. There were 8 turkeys in each age group. Mean haematocrit, haemoglobin and creatinine values were higher in the 1-year-old than in 10-year-old turkeys. Mean alanine aminotransferase was greater in 1 year old than in 10 year olds and greater in 5 year olds than in 10 year olds. Aspartate aminotransferase values were significantly different between all age groups. Mean alkaline phosphatase was less in 1-year-old than in 10-year-old turkeys. There were no significant differences between the three groups for cholesterol, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and bilirubin. All male turkeys had higher haemoglobin and haematocrit values than age-matched females. These data will help establish basic background references values in geriatric turkeys used in research.