Physiological changes in serum glucidic and nitrogenic analytes from captive Argentine authoctonous caimans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for serum glucidic and nitrogenic analytes from captive northeastern Argentinean caimans, as well as to detect physiological variations related to species, sex, age, feeding and season. Serum samples from 223 healthy sub–adults specimens of Caiman latirostris (n = 109) and Caiman yacare (n = 114), 50% each sex, were obtained. Values for glucose (4.18 ± 0.82 versus 4.01 ± 0.66 mmol/l), fructosamine (179 ± 33 versus 162 ± 29 umol/l), urea (1.11 ± 0.25 versus 1.06 ± 0.22 mmol/l), creatinine (56.1 ± 12.4 versus 52.5 ± 10.6 umol/l), and uric acid (127 ± 23 versus 156 ± 26 umol/l), were obtained by spectrophotometric methods for C. latirostris and C. yacare, respectively. Uric acid was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in C. latirostris. Glucose and urea were higher in females from both species. Progress of age (increment of liveweight and dimensions) correlated with increases of all biochemical parameters, significantly for glucose. Values were lower in winter, except for uric acid. The feeding system used in a hatchery resulted in glucose, urea and creatinine values higher than those registered in zoo specimens. Data obtained are applicable for caiman nutritional control, as well as for the diagnosis and prevention of diseases.