Diagnostic enzyme profile in houbara bustard tissues (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii)

We have reported tissue profiles of diagnostic enzymes in heart, liver, kidney, duodenum, pancreas, pectoral muscle and quadriceps muscle from houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii). Enzymes studied included aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK). The data from our studies suggest that the tissue enzymes which are commonly used as clinical diagnostic tools in other species may also be used to evaluate tissue integrity in houbara bustards. However, although tissue enzyme patterns in the bustard showed some similarities compared with other avian species, there were also important differences. GGT and ALKP activities were predominantly present in the bustard kidney. CK appeared to be a sensitive indicator of muscle cell damage in the bustard. Although ALT, LDH and AST appeared to be sensitive indicators of liver cell damage, they were non-specific for this organ, and consequently no enzyme studied was a specific indicator of liver cell damage in the bustard.