SERUM CHEMISTRY OF BOWHEAD WHALES (BALAENA-MYSTICETUS)

Sera of 19 male and female bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) collect ed near Barrow, Alaska (USA) between 30 August and 13 October 1992 wer e evaluated for 18 serum chemistry values. Male bowhead whales had sig nificantly greater creatinine and sodium concentrations, and significa ntly lower glucose concentrations than females. Pregnant females had g reater triglyceride levels than non-pregnant females. The mean concent rations of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, tota l bilirubin, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, a nd calcium were similar to those previously reported from bowhead whal es. High aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels were at tributed to muscle damage associated with harpooning.