AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN PLASMA BIOCHEMICAL VALUES OF FARMED EMUS (DROMAIUS-NOVAEHOLLANDIAE)

Blood samples were collected from 40 emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) o f 4 different age groups ranging from 1 week to 14 months. Plasma valu es of glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, total protein, albumin, creatin e kinase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were measured. Fourteen-month-old birds had l ower plasma glucose values and enzyme activities and higher plasma pro tein values than younger birds. One-week-old birds had higher choleste rol and uric acid values than other age groups. Plasma calcium, phosph orus and magnesium values did not differ across the age profiles sampl ed.