Blood biochemistry parameters of Broad snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris subjected to stress conditions, appliying micro-volume techniques

Abstract

Plasma biochemistry values represent a crucial and minimally invasive tool for evaluating nutritional and physiological condition of the animal. Biochemical data provides valuable information in those species exposed to environmental stressors. In this study, we aimed to apply for the first time micro-volume plasma tests to measured total plasma protein, albumin, and glucose in juvenile Caiman latirostris and to compare our results with other studies reporting crocodilian biochemistry values. We found that caimans from heat treatment were heavier, longer and had higher levels of glucose than those from the control group. Conversely, food restricted caimans had less growth, body condition and had 32.1% lower albumin concentrations than those from the control group. While no significant differences were observed in any parameters measured from water restricted caimans compared with control group. The values obtained for each of the biochemical determinations were lower than those previously reported for adult of C. latirostris, but similar finding for protein concentration compared with Alligator mississippiensis. Micro technique offers the advantage of increasing information and at the same time a greater physiological understanding of the crocodilians species.