SERUM ELECTROLYTES, LIPIDS AND CORTISOL IN THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT, LOXODONTA-AFRICANA

1. 1. Serum electrolytes were measured in the African elephant from the game parks of Uganda. The overall mean for sodium was 136.5 ± 5.6 mmol/l (n= 132) and for potassium 6.24 ± 0.86 mmol/l (n = 105). There was, however, some evidence for a seasonal variation in these values. 2. 2. Serum lipid levels were considerably lower in the elephant than in man. The overall mean cholesterol was 1.58 ± 0.50 mmol/l (n = 84) and triglyceride 0.59 ± 0.29 mmol/l (n = 61)). Some geographical variation was observed in the triglyceride results. 3. 3. Serum cortisol levels were variable and ranged from 66 to 825 mmol/1 in 33 elephants. © 1979.