Comparative serum biochemistry of captive mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris)

Abstract

Standard serum biochemical parameters were determined for 28 mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) using Supra-occipital plexus technique and/or Cardiocentesis technique at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai, Guindy Snake Park Trust and Amaravathy Crocodile farm, Tamilnadu, India (13° 0´ N; 77° 0´ E) from November 2006 to January 2007. The serum biochemical analysis revealed an overall mean value of 10.58 0.38 (mg/dl) for calcium, 4.22 0.10 (mg/dl) for phosphorus and 47.29 0.66 9IU/L) for ALP in apparently healthy mugger crocodiles. Similarly, the overall mean values for uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, Na, K and C13° 0´ N l were also documented in apparently healthy mugger crocodiles. This report will be useful to develop and evaluate health profiles of these reptilian species under various ecological conditions.

Key words: Blood, Biochemistry, India, Crocodylus palustris, Mugger crocodile.