Thermal Stress Influences Clinical Chemistry Values of Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Values of serum biochemistry were determined for 120 adult male Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) that were either maintained at thermoneutrality or exposed to thermal stress. Thermal stress did not affect serum aspartate aminotransferase or albumin concentrations. Lacate dehydrogenase and uric acid in serum of cold-stressed birds were greater than concentrations of serum from thermoneutral or heat-stressed birds. Serum triglyceride concentrations of both cold- and heat-stressed birds were higher than concentrations from birds maintained at thermoneutrality. Serum total protein was greater in cold-stressed birds than in heat-stressed birds.