Serum chemistry of the minke whale from the northeastern Atlantic

Serum samples were collected from 42 harpooned minke whales (Balaenoptera a cutorostrata) during commercial whaling off die coast of northern rn Norway (1997 and 1998) and analyzed for serum chemistry parameters in order to fi nd clinical reference values for the north eastern Atlantic stock of this s pecies. Mean and median values, as well as standard deviation and 90% centr al range, are presented for 28 different serum chemistry parameters. Lipemi a is a common finding in marine mammals such as the minke whale, and chemic al analysis of lipemic serum samples may produce artifacts. We found statis tically significant elevated values of total protein, globulin, aspartate a minotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, (ALT), sodium and chloride in strongly-lipemic compared to non-lipemic samples, all which may he arti facts due to interference of lipids with the methods used for analysis. In addition, we forward significantly elevated levels of creatin kinase, lacta te dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, uric acid and triglycerides, as well as a dec rease in creatinine in the strongly lipemic samples. Reanalyzing serum samp les after twelve mo storage at -20 C (n = 13) revealed reduction ill the se rum concentration of the enzymes ALT (42%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP: 10%) . LDH (19%), gamma glutamyl transferase (17%) and amylase (11%), as well as for triglycerides (9%) and non-esterified fatty acids (16%). It is crucial that serum chemistry analysis is performed without delay after sampling. P ossible changes in the values of some parameters due to the presence of hig h amounts of lipids or long term storage of samples must be considered when interpreting results from serum chemistry analysis in these animals.