Corrigendum to “Sex and age-specific select hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Volume 54, June 2025, Pages 1-7.”

Swine are widely used in biomedical research, translational research, xenotransplantation, and agriculture. For these uses, physiologic reference intervals are extremely important for assessing the health status of the swine and diagnosing disease. However, few biochemical and hematologic reference intervals that comply with guidelines from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology are available for swine. These guidelines state that reference intervals should be determined by using 120 subjects or more. The aim of this study was to generate hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for female, juvenile Yorkshire swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) and to compare these values with those for humans and baboons (Papio hamadryas). Blood samples were collected from the femoral artery or vein of female, juvenile Yorkshire swine, and standard hematologic and biochemical parameters were analyzed in multiple studies. Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals were calculated for arterial blood samples from Yorkshire swine (n = 121 to 124); human and baboon reference intervals were obtained from the literature. Arterial reference intervals for Yorkshire swine differed significantly from those for humans and baboons in all commonly measured parameters except platelet count, which did not differ significantly from the human value, and glucose, which was not significantly different from the baboon value. These data provide valuable information for investigators using female, juvenile Yorkshire swine for biomedical re- search, as disease models, and in xenotransplantation studies as well as useful physiologic information for veterinarians and livestock producers. Our findings highlight the need for caution when comparing data and study outcomes between species.

Ethnic variation in certain hematological and biochemical reference intervals in a south Indian healthy adult population

The shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, is an imperiled species distributed along the Atlantic coast of North America. Interest in replenishing wild stocks with hatchery-reared fish has created a need for accurate hematologic and biochemical reference intervals to evaluate the health of both fish raised in aquaculture systems and fish in the wild. The objective of this study was to generate hematologic and biochemistry reference intervals for healthy shortnose sturgeon. Blood samples were collected in heparinized tubes from 77 shortnose sturgeon raised in flow-through aquaculture systems. Whole blood and plasma samples were analyzed for hematologic and biochemical variables using standard techniques. Reference intervals were calculated as the central 95% (percentile) of data. Hematologic reference intervals (n = 46) were as follows: PCV 26-46%, hemoglobin 5.7-8.7 g/dL, MCV 307-520 fL, MCH 65.9-107.1 pg, MCHC 15-30 g/dL, plasma proteins (refractometry) 2.8-6.0 g/dL, RBC count 0.65-1.09 x 10(6)/microL, total WBC count 28,376-90,789/microL, small lymphocytes 9063-56,656/microL, large lymphocytes 2122-10,435/microL, neutrophils 3758-33,592/microL, monocytes 0-7137/microL, eosinophils 0-1544/microL, thrombocyte-like cells 6863-23,046/microL, thrombocytes 32,205-122,179/microL, and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio 0.068-1.026. Plasma chemistry reference intervals (n = 77) were as follows: total protein 2.7-5.3 g/dL, albumin 0.8-1.7 g/dL, globulins 1.8-3.7 mg/dL, creatinine 0-1.4 mg/dL, total bilirubin 0-0.1 mg/dL, alkaline phosphatase 47-497 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase 90-311 U/L, sodium 124-141 mmol/L, potassium 2.9-3.7 mmol/L, chloride 106-121 mmol/L, calcium 6.6-12.1 mg/dL, magnesium 1.6-2.3 mg/dL, phosphorus 5.1-8.1 mg/dL, glucose 37-74 mg/dL, cholesterol 42-133 mg/dL, and osmolality 232-289 mOsm/kg. Reference values reported here will be useful for the early detection, identification, and monitoring of disease and sublethal conditions in cultured shortnose sturgeon.

BackgroundEstablishment of haematological and biochemical reference intervals is important to assess health of animals on individual and population level. Reference intervals for 13 haematological and 34 biochemical variables were established based on 88 apparently healthy free-ranging brown bears (39 males and 49 females) in Sweden. The animals were chemically immobilised by darting from a helicopter with a combination of medetomidine, tiletamine and zolazepam in April and May 2006–2012 in the county of Dalarna, Sweden. Venous blood samples were collected during anaesthesia for radio collaring and marking for ecological studies. For each of the variables, the reference interval was described based on the 95% confidence interval, and differences due to host characteristics sex and age were included if detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of reference intervals for free-ranging brown bears in Sweden.ResultsThe following variables were not affected by host characteristics: red blood cell, white blood cell, monocyte and platelet count, alanine transaminase, amylase, bilirubin, free fatty acids, glucose, calcium, chloride, potassium, and cortisol. Age differences were seen for the majority of the haematological variables, whereas sex influenced only mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, aspartate aminotransferase, lipase, lactate dehydrogenase, β-globulin, bile acids, triglycerides and sodium.ConclusionsThe biochemical and haematological reference intervals provided and the differences due to host factors age and gender can be useful for evaluation of health status in free-ranging European brown bears.

Hematologic reference intervals vary with gender, age, ethnicity, and geographic area. Therefore, local or national laboratory reference ranges are essential to enhance the accuracy when diagnosing health conditions. Still, no comprehensive list of reference ranges tailored to the Arab population living in Qatar. Accordingly, this study aims at establishing a hematology reference guide for Arabs in Qatar.This is a retrospective study where 750 healthy volunteers (18–69 years) from 2015 to 2019 were included, analyzed by an automated hematology analyzer. Arab adults were divided into African (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco) and Asian (Syria, Lebanon, Jordon, Palestine, Qatar). The Cell-Dyn and Sysmex were used for measuring hematological parameters.The mean +/- 2SD were established for all the study groups. Arab males had significantly higher Hb, Hct, red cell distribution width, absolute neutrophil count, lymphocytes, and monocyte counts than females. Asian-Arab males had significantly higher Hb concentration and higher WBC, lymphocytes, and eosinophils than African Arabs. Asian-Arab young (>18: < 40 years) males had significantly higher Hb and lymphocytes and lower monocytes than older males (>40 years). African-Arab young males had significantly higher lymphocytes and lower monocytes than older males. Asian-Arab young females had higher WBC and absolute neutrophil count than older Asian Arabs.The findings of this study will help in establishing specific reference intervals in the Arab world. The differences in hematology reference intervals considering age, gender, and geographical location highlight the importance of establishing blood reference intervals in each country considering the ethnic diversity of each country.

Species-specific hematology and biochemistry reference intervals (RIs) provide a crucial diagnostic resource for veterinarians, researchers, and wildlife managers working with elasmobranchs. This study aimed to establish hematologic and biochemical RIs from a population of free-ranging, juvenile blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) in the Galápagos Marine Reserve in Ecuador. Heparinized blood samples were collected from the ventral coccygeal vein in 36 juvenile blacktip sharks captured via beach seine and physically restrained. Manual CBCs were performed, and heparinized plasma was submitted to a reference laboratory for biochemistry analysis. Per American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines, preliminary hematology and biochemistry RIs were determined minus white blood cell differentials due to artifact following blood smear storage and transport. Juvenile blacktip sharks in the Galápagos Marine Reserve had similar PCV (median: 28%, RI: 18.6-35%) but higher WBC concentrations (median: 29.9 × 103/µL, RI: 9.5-52.4 × 103/µL) than wild adult sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus). Furthermore, juvenile blacktip sharks had lower plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, median: 6 U/L, RI: 4-13 U/L), creatine kinase (CK, median: 16 U/L, RI: 6-90 U/L), and glucose (median: 58 mg/dL, RI: 39-78 mg/dL) than wild Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) and bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo) may have been due to different capture methods. Hematology and biochemistry reference intervals will aid blacktip sharks under managed care and support future comparative and longitudinal research of blacktip shark populations within the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

Hematological Indices Reference Intervals for Healthy Arab Population in Qatar: Effect of Age, Gender, Geographic Location and ABO Blood Group

BackgroundReference intervals for venous blood parameters differs with age, gender, geographic region, and ethnic groups. Hence local laboratory reference intervals are important to improve the diagnostic accuracy of health assessments and diseases. However, there have been no comprehensive published reference intervals established in Oman, the Gulf Cooperation Council or Middle Eastern countries. Hence, the aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for full blood count in healthy Omani adults.MethodsVenous blood specimens were collected from 2202 healthy individuals aged 18 to 69 years from January 2012 to April 2017, and analysed by Sysmex XS-1000i and Cell-Dyn Sapphire automated haematology analysers. Results were statistically analysed and compared by gender, age, and ABO blood group. The lower and upper reference limits of the haematology reference intervals were established at the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles respectively.ResultsReference intervals were calculated for 17 haematology parameters which included red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet parameters. Red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), platelet and platelet haematocrit counts of the healthy donors were significantly different between males and females at all ages (p < 0.05), with males having higher mean values of RBC, HGB and HCT than females. Other complete blood count parameters showed no significant differences between genders, age groups, instruments, or blood groups. Our study showed a lower haemoglobin limit for the normal reference interval in males and females than the currently used in Oman.ConclusionsData from this study established specific reference intervals which could be considered for general use in Oman. The differences in haematology reference intervals highlights the necessity to establish reference intervals for venous blood parameters among the healthy population in each country or at least in each region.

The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), classified as “Endangered” by the IUCN, faces significant population declines and habitat degradation, necessitating robust health assessment tools for both managed and free-ranging populations. This study aimed to establish comprehensive hematology, serum biochemistry and arterial blood gas reference intervals (RIs) for Indian elephants, addressing gaps in existing studies, and following the guidelines of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). Samples were collected from a well-defined elephant population under human care in southern India and analyzed on the same day. Phlebotomy was carried out in unsedated elephants in lateral recumbency to avoid sedation-related effects on measurands. A total of 92 elephants were sampled. Hematology RIs were derived from EDTA whole blood using automated methods, while serum biochemistry RIs were generated using semi-automated analyzers; arterial blood gas analysis was also performed using a portable field analyzer. The established hematology RIs were as follows: Hb 8.62–16.78 g/dL, RBC 1.77–4.9 × 1012/L, PCV 21.73–49.25%, MCV 112.49–131.39 fL, MCH 39.3–62.39 pg./cell, MCHC 33.40–41 g/dL, platelet count 171.57–947.1 × 103/μL, WBC 9912.5–29,475 cells/μL. Serum clinical chemistry RIs included: SGPT 4.01–20.34 U/L, ALP 124.89–556.68 U/L, TP 5.54–9.3 g/dL, albumin 2–2.91 g/dL, globulin 3.36–6.9 g/dL, GGT 2.38–23.18 U/L, CRT 0.65–2.06 mg/dL, BUN 4.12–24.32 mg/dL, and albumin/globulin ratio 0.3–0.8. Serum lipid profile RIs were: TC 26.96–69.39 mg/dL, triglycerides 12.55–52.47 mg/dL, HDL 9.02–39.38 mg/dL, LDL 4.63–49.07 mg/dL, and VLDL 2.52–10.5 mg/dL. Serum electrolyte RIs included: Ca 6.21–11.38 mg/dL, P 2.89–6.29 mg/dL, Na 133.94–174.77 mmol/L, K 1.83–7.81 mmol/L, and Cl 92.56–119.46 mmol/L. Arterial blood gas parameters were: pH 7.368–7.515, pCO₂ 28.5–47.9 mmHg, pO₂ 71.0–120.8 mmHg, cHCO₃− 23–30.1 mmol/L, sO₂ 94.4–99.6%, and tCO₂ 22.8–29.5 mmol/L. These RIs provide critical baseline data for health monitoring, enabling the detection of subclinical infections and evaluation of physiological, nutritional, and ecological welfare. By enhancing our understanding of the species’ physiological norms, this study supports improved veterinary care and conservation strategies, ultimately contributing to the long-term survival and welfare of Indian elephants in the region.

Simple SummaryComplete blood cell count is important in identifying diseases in animals, and reference intervals must be established considering physiologic differences in genotype, age, sex, and management. However, little research has been performed to evaluate complete blood cell count reference intervals in Hanwoo calves. Therefore, we compared the complete blood cell count reference intervals of Hanwoo cows and Hanwoo calves and examined changes in calves’ complete blood cell count from birth to 28 weeks. We confirmed that complete blood cell count reference intervals specifically for calves are necessary for accurate diagnosis of calf diseases. In addition, the difference in complete blood cell count between female calves and male calves was confirmed for only some ages and some parameters. Our results suggest that reference intervals for Hanwoo calf complete blood cell count are necessary for accurate diagnosis of calf diseasesHematological reference intervals must consider several parameters, including genotype, age, sex, management, and analytic process. Work is needed to evaluate hematological changes specifically in Hanwoo calves and according to calf sex. Therefore, in this study, we sought to confirm the complete blood cell count (CBC) reference intervals in Hanwoo calves, to monitor changes in hematologic values in Hanwoo calves from birth until 28 weeks of life, and to compare the hematologic values of male and female calves. A total of 35 male calves and 35 female calves was studied. Calf blood was sampled at multiple intervals from the time of birth until 28 weeks of age (including within 6 h of birth and at 2 days, 7 days, and 4 weeks and then at 4-week intervals through 28 weeks). In addition, blood samples were collected from 210 clinically healthy pregnant Hanwoo cows to establish CBC reference intervals for adult cattle. There were significant differences in the results of the cows and calves in all 14 parameters considered. The CBC reference intervals of the calves were wider than those of the cows in all parameters except mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean platelet volume. We also identified differences from birth through 28 weeks between male and female calves at only some ages and some parameters. These results suggest that CBC reference intervals specific to Hanwoo calves are necessary for accurate diagnosis of calf diseases.

Hematological and biochemical reference intervals are an important tool for health assessment and treatment decision-making in veterinary medicine. Lack of information about reference intervals (RI) in mules force professionals to apply reference intervals developed for horses or donkeys, with the risk of misinterpretation. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine hematological and biochemical RI for healthy mules and compare them with those proposed in literature for horses, donkeys and mules. A total of 142 healthy mules (mixed breed mares × Baudet du Poitou) of both sex, all between 7 and 22 years of age and between 290 and 500 kg of live weight were sampled and 32 blood parameters analyzed in order to calculate reference intervals according to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. The values obtained for Chilean mules were within the RI in three of the 21 variables where data was available for UK donkeys and for three of 22 RI available for working horses in Pakistan; no similarities were found with those from Portuguese mules. In the case of Chilean working horses RI, mules values were within range for 11 of 25 variables. The differences found in blood biochemistry may be explained by husbandry conditions, diet, type of work and biological features. Differences between mules' reference intervals and those from donkeys and working horses highlight the importance of having specific reference values for this equid hybrid and the need to develop further research in mules under different working conditions and genetic background.

Reference intervals are used as an aid in the interpretation of laboratory results. Most developing countries do not have reference intervals specific to adolescents. This study was aimed at establishing hematological and biochemical reference intervals for adolescents aged ≥ 12 years to < 18 years. A community based, cross sectional study was conducted using the multistage sampling technique. Participants were enrolled from the UZ-UCSF research study catchment areas of Harare, Chitungwiza, and Mutoko. Samples were transported for analysis at the UZ-UCSF Central Laboratory under recommended conditions. The data analysis presented in this paper is for 302 adolescents aged ≥ 12 to < 18. Non-parametric statistical methods were used to estimate the 95% reference limits for the hematological and biochemical parameters, with the lower limit defined as the 2.5 percentile and the upper limit defined as the 97.5 percentile of the distribution. A total of 302 adolescents were included. Results show significant differences between males and females in hematological parameters except platelets, eosinophils, basophils, and red cell distribution width. The biochemical parameters which showed significant differences between males and females were phosphate, ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, and lipase. Hematological indices and liver function tests differ significantly by gender and this should be considered when defining normal intervals.

Hematologic and biochemical reference intervals (RIs) provide valuable data for the nutritional status and clinical diagnosis of animals. However, the specific hematologic and biochemical RIs for specific-pathogen-free (SPF) Landrace pigs has not been determined. The present study was designed to establish the hematologic and biochemical RIs for SPF 1-month-old Landrace pigs. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 105 SPF 1-month-old Landrace pigs (50 males and 55 females), and complete blood counts and biochemical examinations were performed. The mean, RI, and 90% confidence interval were calculated for each variable, and gender differences were analyzed. Reference intervals for SPF 1-month-old Landrace pigs were generated. The results revealed that there was generally no significant difference between male and female hematologic and serum biochemical variables (P>.05). However, a significant difference was noted in serum triglyceride concentrations between male and female pigs (P<.05). This study provides hematologic and biochemical RIs for SPF 1-month-old Landrace pigs and provides basic data for the research and application of SPF Landrace pigs as a laboratory animal.

Background:Clinical laboratory reference intervals are an important tool to identify abnormal laboratory test results. The generating of hematological parameters reference intervals for local population is very crucial to improve quality of health care, which otherwise may lead to unnecessary expenditure or denying care for the needy. There are no well-established reference intervals for hematological parameters in southwest Ethiopia.Objective:To generate hematological parameters reference intervals for apparently healthy individuals in southwest Ethiopia.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 883 individuals from March to May 2017. Four milliliter of blood sample was collected and transported to Jimma University Medical Center Laboratory for hematological analysis and screening tests. A hematological parameters were measured by Sysmex XS-500i hematology analyzer (Sysmex Corporation Kobe, Japan). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 statistical software. The non-parametric independent Kruskal–Wallis test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test (Mann–Whitney U test) were used to compare the parameters between age groups and genders. The 97.5 percentile and 2.5 percentile were the upper and lower reference limit for the population.Results:The reference interval of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet count in children were 4.99 × 1012/L (4.26–5.99 × 1012/L), 7.04 × 109/L (4.00–11.67 × 109/L), and 324.00 × 109/L (188.00–463.50 × 109/L), respectively. The reference interval of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet count in adults was 5.19 × 1012/L (4.08–6.33 × 1012/L), 6.35 × 109/L (3.28–11.22 × 109/L), and 282.00 × 109/L (172.50–415.25 × 109/L), respectively. The reference interval of red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet count in geriatrics were 5.02 × 1012/L (4.21–5.87 × 1012/L), 6.21 × 109/L (3.33–10.03 × 109/L), and 265.50 × 109/L (165.53–418.80 × 109/L), respectively. Most of the hematological parameters showed significant differences across all age groups.Conclusion:Most of the hematological parameters in this study showed differences from similar studies done in the country. This study provided population-specific hematological reference interval for southwest Ethiopians. Reference intervals should also be established in the other regions of the country.

The study aimed to perform a systematic review/meta-analysis of observational studies conducted in Saudi Arabia to identify the patterns of reported hematological parameters' reference intervals (RIs). The literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Observational studies that reported hematological parameters measured under normal physiological conditions in apparently healthy individuals were included. Studies conducted on non-healthy individuals and/or on pregnant women; those related to basic science, methodology, physiology, and non-physiological state; and those conducted on patients having co-morbidities were excluded. Studies on the pediatric population were also excluded from the meta-analysis. The methodological quality was assessed using standard critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. R software was used to run the random-effects models. The results were reported as weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. The complete blood count (CBC) parameter means were compared by sex using an independent samples t-test. In total, 12 studies were included in the systematic review from all regions-Central (n = 5), Western (n = 5), Southern (n = 1), and Northern (n = 1). A total of eight (66%) studies focused on adults, and four (33.3%) studies reported a sample of adolescents/children. In addition, seven studies were not included in the meta-analysis for the following reasons: three studies reported only white blood cell (WBC) parameters, two studies had only abstracts available, and two studies involved newborns. High heterogeneity was demonstrated for all hematological parameters: red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), or mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (I2 = 100%); mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) or hematocrit (HCT) (I2 = 99%); platelet (PLT) or mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (I2 = 98%); and WBC (I2 = 90%). The RBC (p = 0.009) and Hb (p = 0.0006) values were higher in the male participants. The PLT (p = <0.0001) values were higher in female participants. The remaining hematological parameters' RIs were not statistically significant. The findings indicated some differences in the hematological parameters' RIs reported across Saudi Arabia. We recommend establishing hematological parameters' RIs based on the Saudi Arabian population to determine when to refer a patient with abnormal counts and to identify when to request further diagnostic work-up.