SREL Reprint #3364

Blood and plasma biochemistry reference intervals for wild juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Matthew T. Hamilton1,2, Caitlin A. Kupar1,2, Meghan D. Kelley3, John W. Finger Jr.1,3,
and Tracey D. Tuberville1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E,
Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA
2Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green Street,
Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
3Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 101 Rouse Life Sciences,
Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA

Abstract: American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are one of the most studied crocodilian species in the world, yet blood and plasma biochemistry information is limited for juvenile alligators in their northern range, where individuals may be exposed to extreme abiotic and biotic stressors. We collected blood samples over a 2-yr period from 37 juvenile alligators in May, June, and July to establish reference intervals for 22 blood and plasma analytes. We observed no effect of either sex or blood collection time on any analyte investigated. However, our results indicate a significant correlation between a calculated body condition index and aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase. Glucose, total protein, and potassium varied significantly between sampling sessions. In addition, glucose and potassium were highly correlated between the two point-of-care devices used, although they were significantly lower with the i-STAT 1 CG8+ cartridge than with the Vetscan VS2 Avian/Reptile Rotor. The reference intervals presented herein should provide baseline data for evaluating wild juvenile alligators in the northern portion of their range.

Keywords: Alligator mississippiensis, American alligator, point-of-care, reference intervals, stress

SREL Reprint #3364

Hamilton, M. T., C. A. Kupar, M. D. Kelley, J. W. Finger Jr., and T. D. Tuberville. 2016. Blood and plasma biochemistry reference intervals for wild juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 52(3): 631-635.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).