Clinical biochemical reference ranges for female alpacas (Lama pacos)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Comparative Physiology
• Animal Biochemistry

Background:

• Establishing species-specific reference ranges is vital for accurate health assessments in domestic animals.
• Limited biochemical data exists for South American camelids, particularly alpacas, hindering clinical interpretation.
• Pregnancy status can significantly influence physiological parameters in female animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine reference ranges for 17 clinical biochemical analytes in healthy female alpacas.
• To compare these ranges with those of other domestic ruminants and camelids.
• To identify significant biochemical differences between pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 352 healthy female alpacas.
• Seventeen clinical biochemical analytes were measured using standard laboratory assays.
• Statistical analyses were performed to determine reference ranges and compare pregnant versus non-pregnant groups.

Main Results:

• Reference ranges for 17 biochemical analytes were established for the first time in female alpacas.
• Significant differences in mean values were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas for several analytes.
• Alpaca biochemical ranges differed from those reported for llamas, cattle, sheep, and goats.

Conclusions:

• The determined biochemical values serve as appropriate reference ranges for pregnant and non-pregnant female alpacas.
• These reference ranges are essential for accurate clinical diagnosis and health monitoring in alpaca populations.
• Further research could explore analyte variations across different physiological states and breeds.