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Serum protein electrophoresis reference values in the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

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Abstract

Blood samples were collected as part of routine clinical examination procedures from 120 clinically normal gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) during a 4-year period between the months of September and February. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) was carried out to establish reference values for the species and to characterize species-specific electrophoretic patterns. The SPE analyses included measurements of pre-albumin, albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, gamma globulins, and the albumin/globulin ratio. Reference intervals were determined using a quantile approach with 90% confidence intervals. Female gyrfalcons were found to have significantly lower median albumin and gamma concentrations than males. Juvenile gyrfalcons were found to have significantly lower median total protein, alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta-globulins than adults. Results of this study provide SPE values for gyrfalcons that may contribute to the medical management of this species commonly used in the sport of falconry in the Middle East.

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Acknowledgements

We thank HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his interest and continuing support of the research program of the Veterinary Science Department, Wildlife Division. We thank Angelito Viola and Philippe Graf for assistance in this study. We also would like to acknowledge the technical staff of the Veterinary Science Department for assistance in handling the birds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ExoticVet GmbH, Waeldliweg 6, 8645, Jona, Switzerland

    Morena Bernadette Wernick

  2. Natural Vet Care, Alte Landstrasse 133, 8700, Küsnacht, Switzerland

    Olga Martin-Jurado

  3. Health Sciences Centre, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Hugues Beaufrère

  4. Diagnostic Clinical Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 124, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Judith Howard

  5. Wrsan Wildlife Division, PO Box 77338, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Jaime Samour

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  1. Morena Bernadette Wernick
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  2. Olga Martin-Jurado
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  3. Hugues Beaufrère
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  4. Judith Howard
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  5. Jaime Samour
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Correspondence to Morena Bernadette Wernick.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Wernick, M.B., Martin-Jurado, O., Beaufrère, H. et al. Serum protein electrophoresis reference values in the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). Comp Clin Pathol 27, 493–497 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-017-2618-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-017-2618-9

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