Normal blood chemistry and age-related changes in the white-bellied bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis), with some clinical observations

Blood samples were obtained from adult (τ;1 year) and juvenile (4–8 weeks, 9–16 weeks, 17–24 weeks) captive white-bellied bustards (Eupodotis senegalensis) to determine normal blood chemistry reference values and to study age-related changes. Twelve different tests were conducted using a Dupont Dimension wet chemistry analyser. A comparison of the values obtained was made between adult and juvenile white-bellied bustards and from the literature with other bustard species. Significant differences between adult and juvenile bustards were found for glucose, uric acid, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, magnesium and calcium. The results obtained from this study provide blood chemistry reference values for this species and demonstrate age-related differences between adult and juvenile birds.