SERUM ENZYMES AS INDICATORS OF CAPTURE MYOPATHY IN MALLARDS (ANAS-PLATYRHYNCHOS)

Serum concentrations of the enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in captive and wild mallards (An as platyrhynchos) as indicators of muscle damage. Baseline values for both enzymes were determined from six captive male mallards. During wi nter 1990 to 1991, six diets (including controls) representative of fo od available in the Mississippi alluvial valley were fed to captive fe male mallards housed in an outdoor aviary at the White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas County, Arkansas (USA). Controlled handling of penned mallards resulted in elevated serum CK (xBAR = 1,352 IU/lite r; SD = 1,212) and AST (xBAR = 101 IU/liter; SD = 95) concentrations c onsistent with myopathies. These serum enzyme elevations were not affe cted (P > 0.3) by dietary selenium concentrations in the six diets or by energy malnutrition suffered by birds fed soybeans. Capture of wild mallards with an entanglement type rocket net resulted in serum CK an d AST concentrations (xBAR = 12,035 and 330 IU/liter; SD = 8,125 and 1 71, respectively) that were higher (P < 0.001) than those reported aft er capture with an enveloping type rocket net. Baseline values, contro lled handling values, and entanglement rocket net values for serum CK and AST all differed P < 0.0001.