Effect of captivity on the blood composition of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica)

Blood analyses of seven free-ranging Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) captured from the wild and then held in captivity were used to determine the physiological changes in some haematological parameters and serum chemistry values during captivity. The captive animals had a higher haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration and larger numbers of erythrocytes than the same animals when they were captured. In addition, the absolute numbers of leucocytes and lymphocytes decreased progressively during captivity. Significant differences were found for some of the biochemical variables between the captive ibex and free-ranging animals.

Haematology of Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) restrained by physical or chemical means

Reference values for some haematological and plasma biochemical constituents were established in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) restrained either physically or chemically with tiletamine-zolazepam. The following variables were studied: haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, total erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, haematological indices, erythrocyte dimensions, differential count of leucocytes, glucose, urea, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total plasma protein, albumin, globulins, albumin-globulin ratio, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, total phosphorus, chloride and osmolality. No haematological data have been published before but the values observed were in the general range of other artiodactyls, with the exception of the number and size of the erythrocytes which were respectively larger and smaller than in most other ruminants. Significant differences were found for a number of the variables between the values recorded in physically restrained animals and the values recorded in anaesthetised animals; they included the number of erythrocytes and related parameters, the plasma proteins and some inorganic ions.