Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for Norwegian crossbreed grower pigs.

BACKGROUND: Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals depend on many factors, including environment and age. Reference intervals for Norwegian grower pigs are lacking, and previously published reference intervals for similar pigs from other countries are now outdated due to significant changes in management and breeding on the pig farms. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine updated reference intervals for hematologic and biochemical analytes in healthy crossbred grower pigs, and to compare the results among 3 different farms. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 104 clinically healthy pigs of the most common Norwegian crossbreed (Landrace Yorkshire sow x Landrace Duroc boar). The pigs were 12-16 weeks old, weighed 30-50 kg, of both sexes, and lived on 3 farms in eastern Norway. Automated hematologic and biochemical analysis were performed using ADVIA 2120 and ADVIA 1650 analyzers. RESULTS: Five samples were excluded because of hemolysis (1) or outliers (4). Reference intervals were calculated using parametric or nonparametric methods, depending on data distribution. Mean, median, minimum, and maximum values were tabulated. CONCLUSIONS: The reference intervals calculated in this study will be useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in this widespread crossbreed pig. Compared with previously published reference values, reference intervals for total WBC count, creatine kinase and alanine aminotransferase activities, and albumin, bilirubin, and urea concentrations in this study differed notably.

Comparison between microscopic and automated differential leukocyte counts in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

Differential leukocyte (WBC) counts in blood from clinically healthy silver foxes (n=32) and blue foxes (n=37) obtained from an automated hematology analyzer (Technicon H*1 Hematology System) with canine software were compared with microscopic differential WBC counts (M-diff). There was good agreement between the automated differential cell count (A-diff) and the M-diff for neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages. The correlation was lower for monocyte percentages and variable for eosinophil percentages. There was no significant difference between the A-diff and M-diff in either fox species. The A-diff counts were very precise, and may be a good alternative to the traditional M-diff for screening populations of clinically healthy foxes or for studies on stress and animal welfare. Intercept values, however, indicated a constant bias that must be taken into account before interpreting results based on different methods of analysis

Evaluation of piglet blood utilizing the Technicon H*1.

The analytic precision of an automated blood analyzer, the Technicon H*1(R), was evaluated utilizing blood samples collected from 20 piglets at 1 and 14 days of age. The effect of storing the blood samples at 4 degrees C for 24 and 48 hours also was determined. Blood samples were analyzed twice on the first day and once on each of the subsequent tow days. Within-sample coefficient of variation was approximately 1% for hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte count, hematocrit, mean cell volume, erythrocyte distribution width and hemoglobin distribution width (HDW); and approximately 5% for total leukocyte (WBC), neutrophils and lymphocyte counts. Mean HDW and automated differential WBC counts changed during storage to a degree that could be of clinical importance. Manual determination of differential WBC counts were compared with those obtained from the automated analyzer. Results correlated well for neutrophils (r=0.92 in 1-day-old and r=0.93 in 14-day-old piglets, P<0.001) and lymphocytes (r=0.85 in 1-day-old and r=0.93 in 14-day-old piglets, P<0.001). Other WBC values were too low to compare reasonably.

Effects of storage time on chemistry results from canine whole blood, heparinized whole blood, serum and heparinized plasma.

The stability and storage characteristics of 24 blood constituents from dogs including nine enzymes (ALP, ALT, amylase, AST, CK, GGT, GLDH, LDH, lipase), 15 metabolites and minerals (albumin, bile acids, bilirubin, calcium, cholesterol, creatinine, fructosamine, glucose, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, protein, sodium, triglycerides, urea) were studied. Conditions studied included storing of nonanticoagulated and heparinized whole blood for 3 days (Part A), and storing of serum and heparinized plasma for 3 days (Part B). The storage temperature for both studies was +4 degrees C from day 0 to day 1, and +20 degrees C, from day 1 to day 2 and 3. Eight of 24 analytes showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) for three days in whole blood. However, the stability of all 24 analytes greatly improved by storing serum or heparinized plasma compared to nonanticoagulated or heparinized whole blood. In stored serum or heparinized plasma, 20 of 24 analytes showed no significant differences (p < 0.05) for 3 days. Nine of 24 analytes showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between serum and heparinized plasma, where CK, LDH, GGT, and potassium showed differences of possible clinical importance. This study strongly supports the practice of separating serum/plasma from clot/cells as promptly as possible to achieve improved stability for most analytes under test.