Biochemical and hematologic reference intervals for free-ranging desert bighorn sheep

Over 200 clinically normal desert bighorn sheep (Oris canadensis) from mult iple geographic areas were sampled utilizing a uniform protocol. The goals of this study were to develop comprehensive reference intervals for hematol ogic and biochemical analytes using central 90(th) percentile nonparametric analyses. Adult female sheep had greater erythrocyte mass (hemoglobin and hematocrit! compared with adult male sheep. Young animals less than or equa l to 1-yr-old had greater erythrocyte mass (hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell count), higher alkaline phosphatase activity; and lower serum pr otein and globulin concentrations compared with adult animals. Because of t he large sample size, wide geographic range, and uniform sample and handlin g protocol in this study, these reference intervals should be robust and ap plicable to other free-ranging desert bighorn sheep populations.