Preliminary studies on age-related plasma chemistry changes in the kori bustard (Ardeotis kori)

Blood samples were obtained from clinically normal captive kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) in order to study any age-related plasma chemistry changes. Samples were taken initially at 1 month after hatching and every month thereafter up to 8 months after hatching, at which time the birds were considered to be fully developed. Nineteen different tests were conducted using a Kodak Ektachem DT II dry-chemistry system. A comparison of the values obtained was made with those of clinically normal adult kori bustards. Some parameters, including sodium, chloride, potassium, glucose and aspartate aminotransferase were consistent over the course of the study. However, some tended to increase (e.g. phosphorus, calcium, total protein, total bilirubin, uric acid), others showed a decrease (e.g. alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, ammonia, cholesterol, tryglyceride) and some showed no clear pattern (e.g. magnesium). The results from this study provide important reference plasma chemistry values over the course of development and appear to be the first set of published data for age-related plasma chemistry changes in the kori bustard.