Analysis of aqueous humor obtained from normal eyes of llamas and alpacas

Objective-To evaluate composition of aqueous humor obtained from normal eye s of llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Lama paces). Sample Population-Aqueous humor obtained from 10 male llamas and 10 male al pacas. Procedure-All animals had normal eyes, as determined by ocular examination. Aqueous humor samples were obtained via paracentesis of the anterior chamb er of animals that were heavily sedated. Chemical analysis included measure ment of concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbona te, phosphorus, and glucose as well as osmolality and pH. Results-With the exception of potassium concentrations, values for aqueous humor composition did not differ significantly between llamas and alpacas, Mean +/- SD values for llamas and alpacas, respectively, were: sodium, 154. 7 +/- 2.1 and 152.7 +/- 2.1 mEq/L; potassium, 5.3 +/- 0.4 and 4.6 +/- 0.4 m Eq/L; magnesium, 1.8 +/- 0.1 and 1.7 +/- 0.1 mg/dl; chloride, 130.0 +/- 1.6 and 127.0 +/- 3.3 mEq/L; bicarbonate, 19.2 +/- 1.5 and 20.2 +/- 2.3 mEq/L; phosphorous, 2.7 +/- 0.3 and 2.5 +/- 0.4 mg/dl; glucose, 80.3 +/- 3.9 and 80.8 +/- 7.3 mg/dl; total protein, 29.0 +/- 8.6 and 31.5 +/- 10.1 mg/dl; an d osmolality, 305.8 +/- 11.8 and 306.2 +/- 4.9 mOsm. The pH ranged from 7.5 to 8.0 for both species. Potassium concentrations were significantly highe r in llamas than alpacas. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Except for potassium, composition of aqu eous humor did not differ significantly between llamas and alpacas. Aqueous humor composition of llamas and alpacas is similar to that of other specie s that have been examined.