Hematological and biochemical values of Magellanic penguins in rehabilitation in Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil

This paper reports hematological and biochemical values of juveniles Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) stranded in Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, that were sent for rehabilitation. The average values were: erythrocytes 2.55±0,54 milhões/μL, hemoglobin 13.37±3,91g/dL, hematocrit 41.5±0.04%, plasma protein 6.34±0.81g/dL, leukocytes 16,301±6,402/μL, thrombocytes 20,516±4,591 células/μL³, mean cell volume (MCV) 172.0±53.0 fL, mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) 26.41±0.02%, alanine transaminase (ALT) 50.0±17.89 U/L, uric acid 8.93±3.0mg/dL, albumin 1.68±0.53mg/dL, calcium 9.7±0.57mg/dL, phosphorus 10.39±8.5mg/dL and glucose 211.6±30.3mg/dL. Values of erythrocytes, MCV and MCH were discrepant in relation to the current reference values. Leukocytes and thrombocytes values has meant inconclusive. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein and biochemical values provided important contribution for the establishment of reference parameters.

Index Terms:
Seabirds, blood; hematology; hematology parameters; Magellanic penguins; Spheniscus magellanicus; Speniscidae; juveniles