HEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMISTRY EVALUATION IN CAPUCHIN MONKEYS FROM THE ILLEGAL CAPTIVITY

Abstract

Hematological and biochemistry values can be used to detect alterations caused by pathogenic agents and to establish differences between states of health and disease. The aim of this study was to perform hemogram and serum biochemistry examination in primates from the illegal captivity, considering the sex and body mass. Fifteen capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) were examined (9 males and 6 females). All subjects underwent physical exams and clinical laboratory tests. Hemograms were performed using a Sysmex XT-1800i. A leukocyte count was performed on blood smears stained with Quick Panoptic. Serum biochemistry tests were performed with commercial Kits to evaluate the following parameters: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total protein (TP), triglycerides, cholesterol, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). All variables were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Comparisons of individual means were examined with the Tukey test with p < 0.05. Males were heavier than females (2.86 ± 0.99 and 1.83 ± 0.27 Kg, respectively). However, sex and body mass do not influence in blood variables. Differences observed in this study can be attributed to factors related to the anesthetic protocol, among other elements of the methodology used, and/or management/environmental variations. Laboratorial tests associated with a detailed clinical examination contributed to the better understanding of the hemogram and serum biochemistry variables. In addition, it provides more accurate and comprehensive data for clinical decision making while working with captive animals.