Müller Kerstin, Müller Elisabeth, Klein Ruth, Brunnberg Leo
College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Vet Clin Pathol. 2009 Dec;38(4):507-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2009.00159.x. Epub 2009 Jun 22.
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are often presented as patients in veterinary practice. Nevertheless, only limited information is available about endocrine diseases or thyroxine reference values for the species.
The aim of this study was to determine serum thyroxine concentrations in a well-defined population of clinically healthy pet guinea pigs.
Between October 2007 and July 2008, serum samples were collected from 40 clinically healthy guinea pigs of different sexes, ages, and breeds that were presented to our clinic for a general health check or for castration. Pregnant females were excluded from the study. Thyroxine concentration was measured using a chemiluminescence test (Immulite 2000 Canine Total T4).
Thyroxine concentrations ranged from 14.2 to 66.9 nmol/L (1.1-5.2 microg/dL) with a median value of 27.0 nmol/L (2.1 microg/dL). Females (n=16) had significantly (P=.039; Mann-Whitney U-test) lower thyroxine values than castrated males (n=8), whereas no differences were found between females and intact males (n=16) or between intact and castrated males. No significant correlation was found between thyroxine concentration and age.
This is the first report of serum thyroxine reference values for a well-defined population of healthy pet guinea pigs as measured by a chemiluminescence assay. The results were higher than those previously reported for this species and emphasize the importance of using appropriate reference intervals for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
豚鼠（豚鼠属）在兽医临床中常作为患病动物就诊。然而，关于该物种内分泌疾病或甲状腺素参考值的信息有限。
本研究旨在确定一群明确界定的临床健康宠物豚鼠的血清甲状腺素浓度。
2007年10月至2008年7月期间，从40只不同性别、年龄和品种的临床健康豚鼠中采集血清样本，这些豚鼠因进行全面健康检查或去势手术而前来我们诊所。怀孕雌性豚鼠被排除在研究之外。使用化学发光试验（Immulite 2000犬总T4）测量甲状腺素浓度。
甲状腺素浓度范围为14.2至66.9 nmol/L（1.1 - 5.2 μg/dL），中位数为27.0 nmol/L（2.1 μg/dL）。雌性豚鼠（n = 16）的甲状腺素值显著低于去势雄性豚鼠（n = 8）（P = 0.039；Mann - Whitney U检验），而雌性豚鼠与未去势雄性豚鼠（n = 16）之间或未去势与去势雄性豚鼠之间未发现差异。甲状腺素浓度与年龄之间未发现显著相关性。
这是首次通过化学发光分析法报告一群明确界定的健康宠物豚鼠的血清甲状腺素参考值。结果高于该物种先前报道的值，并强调了使用适当参考区间诊断甲状腺功能亢进的重要性。
