Values of hematological and biochemical parameters in New Zealand white rabbits

Cheng-Hsueh, Wu

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish reference values of hematological and biochemical parameters in New Zealand white rabbits within the animal drugs inspection branch of the Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI) of Taiwan. From 2012-2014, blood samples were collected from a total of 48 specific pathogen free (SPF) New Zealand white rabbits (2-3 months old), whereas from 2017-2018, 33 conventional New Zealand white rabbits blood samples were collected and analyzed. Blood samples were tested for: red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (HcT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Serum samples were tested for: glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid, amylase, cholesterol, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. The data collected in this study can thus be used as reference biochemical parameters for New Zealand white rabbits.

Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic Nephritis and Enteritis in Geese

Yen-Ping Chen

Abstract

Hemorrhagic nephritis enteritis of geese (HNEG) is a contagious, acute and fatal disease occurring in geese. HNEG has been described in geese of 4-10 weeks of age with mortality rates ranging 4-67%, and sometimes up to 80%. Clinical signs present only a few hours before death and include self-isolation, coma and death. The necropsic findings include edema in subcutaneous tissues, gelatinous ascites, inflammation of the kidneys, and, less frequently, hemorrhagic enteritis. HNEG was first described in 1969 in Hungary and later was also described in Germany, France and Poland. The etiological agent of HNEG is goose hemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV). Ducks are considered asymptomatic carriers of GHPV. GHPV has been also detected in ducks in China, and in ducks and geese in Taiwan. Several methods for the detection of GHPV have been adapted, including virus isolation based on either kidney cell culture or goose embryo inoculation as well as various PCR techniques. Since the isolation of GHPV is very difficult, the PCR test for the detection of GHPV nucleic acids is more practical. In our study, a TaqMan-based real-time PCR for the detection of GHPV was developed and the detection limit of of GHPV nucleic acids was 10 copies/L. In addition, we also isolated and propagated three strains of GHPV successfully, using primary kidney cell culture and goose embryo. The propagation using goose embryo could be through either allantoic cavity inoculation or chorioallantoic membrane inoculation.