Biochemistry and haematology values for the baboon (Papio hamadryas): The effects of sex, growth, development and age

A retrospective study evaluated the influence of sex and age on plasma bioc hemistry and haematology parameters in a captive-bred colony of baboons. Ov er 1,140 ETDA and heparin blood samples were obtained from 160 clinically n ormal baboons between the ages of 11 months and 11 years. Data for these bl ood tests were analysed for the effects of sex, age and sex-age interaction s. Sex, age and sex-age interactions were detected for many plasma biochemi stry and haematological parameters. The reference range values for platelet s, white-blood cells and mean corpuscular volume and plasma chloride, gluco se, total protein and iron were higher (P < 0.01) and red blood cell, plasm a sodium, potassium, total CO,, creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, albumin, alkaline phosphate, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and phosphate were lower (P < 0.01) in the female compared to the male population. Sex-age interact ions (P < 0.05) were seen with haemoglobin, white blood cells, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, sodium, creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphate, tot al bilirubin, total protein alkaline phosphatase, the liver enzymes and tri glycerides. Plasma alkaline phosphatase was highest (> 800 mu/l) in young j uveniles of both sexes; creatinine was higher in older (>4 years) compared to younger baboons of the same sex (P < 0.05). Plasma cholesterol and trigl ycerides were greater (P < 0.01) in young baboons compared to older animals .