Hematological and plasma biochemical reference intervals in young white storks

Area of Science:

• Avian biology
• Wildlife physiology
• Comparative hematology

Background:

• Understanding hematological and plasma chemistry profiles is crucial for assessing the health of wild and captive bird populations.
• Juvenile white storks (Ciconia ciconia) represent a species where such baseline data can inform conservation and veterinary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document age-related changes in hematological and plasma chemistry parameters of juvenile white storks.
• To compare these parameters between wild and captive-bred individuals.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 129 juvenile white storks (wild and captive-bred) between April and June 1994.
• Hematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, platelets, lymphocytes) and plasma chemistry parameters (total solids, total proteins, albumin, globulins, urea, fibrinogen) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Significant age-related increases were observed in red blood cell count, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total solids, total proteins, fibrinogen, albumin, globulins (alpha, beta, gamma), and urea.
• Conversely, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and platelet count significantly decreased with age.
• No notable differences in measured parameters were found between wild and captive-bred storks.

Conclusions:

• Age is a significant factor influencing hematological and plasma chemistry profiles in juvenile white storks.
• The findings provide essential reference ranges for this species, applicable to both wild and captive populations.
• These data can aid in health monitoring and disease diagnosis in white storks.