Biochemical reference intervals for koi (Cyprinus carpio)

Various biochemical parameters of koi were measured to construct biochemical reference intervals. Very low serum concentrations of creatinine, total bilirubin, uric acid and -glutamyl transferase activity were observed. Increased activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed due to venepuncture through the skeletal muscle of the caudal peduncle; however, these changes were not statistically significant. Alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were affected the least, and these enzymes may be considered relatively liver specific in koi. Cellulose acetate serum protein electrophoresis also was performed to confirm the presence of a serum albumin-like protein in koi. However, the resultant protein fractions were highly variable and the albumin protein-like fraction did not correlate well with that determined by the BCG dye binding assay. AcknowledgmentsThe authors thank Blue Ridge Hatcheries of Kernersville, North Carolina, for their generosity and support during the completion of this clinical research study.