Blood reference intervals for rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from routine diagnostic samples.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to establish reference intervals for blood parameters in rabbits based on data from routine diagnostic samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data sets from 1679-2039 values for clinical chemistry and 937-1559 values for hematological parameters were evaluated using the statistical program Reference Limit Estimator 20151017.

RESULTS

The following reference intervals were calculated for hematology: erythrocytes 4.37-7.43 × 10 cells/l; hematocrit 0.28-0.48 l/l; hemoglobin 89.63-153.82 g/l; leucocytes 2.71-12.23 × 10 cells/l; neutrophils 0.87-7.82 × 10 cells/l; lymphocytes 0.36-6.58 × 10 cells/l; monocytes 0.08-1.71 × 10 cells/l; eosi nophils 0.07-0.19 × 10 cells/l; basophils 0.06-1.1 × 10 cells/l; thrombocytes 225.45-905.3 × 10 cells/l. Calculated intervals for clinical chemistries were: alkaline phosphatase 9.05-94.68 U/l; aspartataminotransferase 3.75-32.44 U/l; creatine kinase 1.63-559.53 U/l; γ-glutamyltransferase 2.5-14.46 U/l; glutamatdehydrogenase 0.68-14.78 U/l; fructosamin 248.08-501.43 µmol/l; bile acid 0.76-19.63 μmol/l; total protein 48.66-73.64 g/l; urea 2.63-10.28 mmol/l; creatinine 51.38-154.35 µmol/l; calcium 3.02-4.3 mmol/l; magnesium 0.66-1.51 mmol/l; phosphorus 0.54-2.18 mmol/l; sodium 132.61- 154.0 mmol/l and potassium 3.52-6.04 mmol/l.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The calculation of intervals based on a large number of routine diagnostic samples allows the establishment of labora tory specific reference intervals without the use of experimental animals.