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Plasma biochemistry and haematology of crested coots (Fulica cristata) and common coots (Fulica atra) from Spain

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Abstract

We provide the first reference values of the plasma biochemistry and haematology of Palaearctic coots of the genus Fulica. We analysed blood samples from 29 birds of the threatened crested coot Fulica cristata reared in captivity and 21 common coots, Fulica atra, from a wild environment. We report haematocrit levels, leucocyte formula, metabolites (uric acid, urea), substrates (cholesterol, triglycerides) and enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase). No differences were found between sexes within species. Except for monocytes and basophiles, significant inter-species differences were found for all blood and biochemical parameters. In general, mean values were higher for wild common coots. These results might suggest the better state of captive birds with regard to wild ones, likely due to differences in environmental conditions. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the possibility that some of the inter-species differences reported in this study can be for phylogenetic reasons, so that the results reported here should be taken as reference values for Palaearctic coots.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to Maribel Adrian and Plácido Rodríguez (La Cañada de los Pájaros) for their generous collaboration in providing the animals and wonderful readiness to carry out all that was asked of them. Financial support was provided by Junta de Andalucía. The experiments comply with the current Spanish laws on animal experimentation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Edif. Charles Darwin Planta 2ª, Córdoba, Spain

    M. D. Rubio, N. Ildefonso, E. I. Agüera, R. J. De Miguel & B. M. Escribano

  2. Department of Animal Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, 18071, Granada, Spain

    P. Almaraz

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  1. M. D. Rubio
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  2. N. Ildefonso
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  4. P. Almaraz
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  5. R. J. De Miguel
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  6. B. M. Escribano
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Correspondence to M. D. Rubio.

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Rubio, M.D., Ildefonso, N., Agüera, E.I. et al. Plasma biochemistry and haematology of crested coots (Fulica cristata) and common coots (Fulica atra) from Spain. Comp Clin Pathol 23, 385–391 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-012-1629-9

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