HEMOGRAM AND CLINICAL BLOOD BIOCHEMISTRY OF MACAWS (Ara sp.) IN ECOLOGICAL FARMS MAINTAINED BY THE STATE OF BAHIA, BRAZIL 1 2 2 DÉBORA MALTA GOMES , MARGARETE NERES SILVA , RENATA MARIA MONÇÃO SILVA , RAFAELA 2 3 4 DUPLAT DÓREA , BRUNO LOPES BASTOS , MARIA CONSUÊLO CARIBÉ AYRES 1 MSc student in Animal Science – EMEV/UFBA – Salvador, BA 2 Undergraduate students in Veterinary Medicine – EMEV/UFBA – Salvador, BA 3 PhD student in Immunology – ICS/UFBA – Salvador, BA 4 Professor, Department of Pathology and Clinics EMEV / UFBA - Salvador, BA ABSTRACT This research aimed to establish reference values for 36.8 ± 5.56%; Hb: 15.4 ± 2.42 g/dL; thrombocytes:9,580 hemogram and clinical biochemistry, aiming at evaluating ± 2,850 x103/μL; leukocyte count: 5,340 ± 3,580/μL; the liver function of healthy macaws (Ara sp.), verifying lymphocytes: 1,408.8 ± 1,020.7/μL; heterophils: 3,252.0 ± the influence of species on the blood constituents, in order 2,026.3/μL; monocytes: 169.1 ± 227.5/μL; basophils: 34.2 to contribute to the health monitoring of this species kept ± 72.3/μL; eosinophils: 186.9 ± 183.9/μL. The results of in ecological sites in the state of Bahia (Brazil). We used the serum biochemical parameters were activity of the forty-five blood samples from three distinct species: enzymes AST 67.6 ± 12.8 IU/L; CK 77.9 ± 44.6 IU/L; green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera), blue-and-yellow LDH 240.1 ± 85.6 IU/L; cholesterol 160.3 ± 34.8 mg/dL; macaw (Ara ararauna) and scarlet macaws (Ara macao). triglycerides 111.8 ± 58.6 mg/dL; glucose 228.5 ± 38.1 A total of 3.5 mL of blood was collected from the ulnar mg/dL and total proteins: 3.37 ± 0.8 g/dL. Significant vein of each bird: 1.5 mL was placed in tubes containing differences (p <0.05) influenced by species were detected EDTA, to carry out the hemogram, and 2.0 mL of blood for the values of number of PCV, GV, number of without anticoagulant was used to obtain serum, for the leukocytes and the concentration of cholesterol and biochemical analysis. The averages obtained for the blood glucose. of the genus Ara were PCV: 2.74 ± 0.48 x106/μL; GV: KEYWORDS: Biochemistry; Haemogram; Psittacidae. HEMOGRAMA E BIOQUÍMICA CLÍNICA SANGUÍNEA DE ARARAS (Ara sp.) MANTIDAS EM SÍTIOS ECOLÓGICOS NO ESTADO DA BAHIA RESUMO Esta pesquisa visou a estabelecer os valores de referência piranga, n=9) e Ara chloroptera (arara vermelha, n=7). do hemograma e de parâmetros de bioquímica clínica, Coletaram-se de cada ave 3,5 mL de sangue da veia ulnar, com fins de avaliar a função hepática de araras (Ara sp.) sendo 1,5 mL colocados em tubos contendo EDTA, para a sadias, verificando-se a influência da espécie sobre os realização do hemograma, e 2,0 ml, sem anticoagulante constituintes sanguíneos, de forma a contribuir com o para obtenção de soro, destinados às provas de monitoramento da saúde desses psitacídeos mantidos em bioquímica. As médias obtidas para o hemograma do sítios ecológicos no Estado da Bahia. Foram utilizadas 45 gênero Ara foram hemácias totais 2,74 ± 0,48 x106/µL; amostras de sangue de três espécies distintas: Ara VG 36,8 ± 5,56%; Hb: 15,4 ± 2,42 g/dL; trombócitos: ararauna (arara canindé, n=29), Ara macao (arara 9.580 ± 2.850 x103/µL; contagem de leucócitos: 5.340 ± Ci. Anim. Bras., Goiânia, v.12, n.4, p. 699 – 711, out. dez. 2011 700 GOMES, D. M. et al. 3.580/µL; linfócitos: 1.408,8 ± 1.020,7/µL; heterófilos: 34,8 mg/dL; triglicérides 111,8 ± 58,6 mg/dL; glicose 3.252,0 ± 2.026,3/µL; monócitos: 169,1 ± 227,5/µL; 228,5 ± 38,1mg/dL e proteínas totais: 3,37 ± 0,8 g/dL. basófilos: 34,2 ± 72,3/µL; eosinófilos: 186,9 ± 183,9/µL. Verificou-se a influência da espécie, representada pelas Os resultados dos parâmetros da bioquímica sérica foram: diferenças significativas (p<0,05) para os valores do atividade das enzimas AST 67,6 ± 12,8 UI/L; CK 77,9 ± número de hemácias, volume globular, do número de 44,6 UI/L; LDH 240,1 ± 85,6 UI/L; colesterol 160,3 ± leucócitos e da concentração de colesterol e glicose. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: bioquímica clínica; hemograma; Psittacidae. INTRODUCTION In Brazil, reference values for the hemogram of psittacides are those established in other countries where the climate, region, nutrition Psittacines are birds that belong to the and management are different from those found family Psittacidae and are represented by macaws, here, leading to errors in the interpretation of parakeets and parrots. In Brazil, six species of true results. Thus, there is a need for studies on the macaws are known: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, values obtained in healthy animals and for the Anodorhynchus leari, Anodorhynchus glaucus evaluation of the influence of variability factors (extinct), Ara ararauna, Ara macao and Ara (SANTOS, 1999). chloroptera. There is also a large number of species Among the factors causing physiological kept in captivity, not only as pets, but also in zoos variability in blood constituents of birds, we and preservation sites (STORM, 1996). highlight those related to species, sex, age, The successful establishment of psittacines reproductive management and nutrition, among rearing in captivity depends on management others, being the hemogram parameters scarce in practices, as well as on the control and treatment of Brazilian literature (CARDOSO & TESSARI, diseases, since these birds are susceptible to various 2003.) diseases such as hepatopathies, parasitic infections, Therefore, this study aimed to establish neoplasias and intoxication. Furthermore, they are normality values of the constituents of hemogram important sources for the infection by and blood biochemistry, in order to assess the liver Chlamydophila psittaci to humans (BENEZ, 2001). function in healthy macaws (Ara sp.), and to The veterinary clinic has an unique role in investigate the influence of the species on these the context of animal health and it is necessary to parameters, contributing to monitoring the health of use indicators to assess the physiology of these these birds, kept in ecological sites in the State of individuals in order to allow the veterinarian to Bahia, Brazil. establish the clinical diagnosis of many different diseases that affect wildlife, make predictions, MATERIAL AND METHODS institute therapies and apply preventive measures. The evaluation of hematological and We used 45 adult macaws with average biochemical parameters is important for the weight of 350 g including three different species: diagnosis of diseases, thus preventing the spread of green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera) (n = 7), disease between bird-man and even among the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) (n = 29) stock. Biochemical analyzes in blood serum or and scarlet macaw (Ara macao) (n = 9), of which, plasma of animals present results that are initially, 37 came from the Instituto Planeta Zôo, fundamental for the clinical diagnosis of liver located in the city of Lauro de Freitas. Five months diseases and these tests are assembled in batteries after the beginning of the collection, this Institute of tests referred to as liver function evaluators. was transferred to Getulio Vargas zoobotanic park The following tests are recommended for in the city of Salvador, and then, eight blue-and- birds: protein profile, enzymatic activity of yellow macaws, coming from the preservation aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine breeding site, also located in the city of Salvador, kinase (CK). This assessment should be were included in the sample of birds used for this complemented with glucose and cholesterol research. All birds were adult, clinically healthy determination (SANTOS, 1999). However, in order and identified with individual bird banding. Due to to properly use such tests, the physiological the transfer, the newly-arrived birds underwent a constants in different species and in their respective quarantine period at the zoo, with the purpose of regions should be known (CORDEIRO, 2003). acclimating the animals to their new environment, compatible with IBAMA standards. Ci. Anim. Bras., Goiânia, v.12, n.4, p. 699 – 711, out. dez. 2011 Hemogram and clinical blood biochemistry of macaws (Ara sp.) in ecological… 701 Before the beginning of the material count was expressed in /L (BENEZ, 2001). The collection, the birds were submitted to clinical determination of hemoglobin (Hb) was performed examinations, according to RUPLEY (1999), and by the cyanmethemoglobin method, and globular parasitological tests were also carried out, and the volume (GV) by the microhematocrit (Ht) method. identification of eggs / larvae was done according The results were expressed in g/dL and as to GREINER & RITCHIE (1994), in order to percentage (%), respectively. The RBC indices, evaluate the animals´ healthiness, including in this mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean study clinically healthy and free of gastrointestinal corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean parasites specimens. corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) All birds were maintained according to were calculated as recommended by Wintrobe standards for breeding birds in captivity, receiving (MATOS & MATOS, 1981; CAMPBELL, 1994) zoo-sanitary care and fed ad libitum with a diet and expressed, in fL, pg and g/dL, respectively. consisting of tropical fruits, psittacines feed Differential counts of leucocytes and (AM16, Megazoo) and seeds, standardized in the thrombocytes were held in fresh blood smears place of origin of the macaws . stained with Roosenfeld stain and then the types of All ethical principles recommended for the leukocytes and thrombocytes were identified by the use of animals in experiments were observed morpho-staining characteristics. The results of (CEUA-MEV da Universidade Federal da Bahia), thrombocytes and leukocytes are presented in cells and approved by the Ethics Committee of the /L.