Clinical pathology values in pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits

Abstract

Blood samples were collected from pregnant and nonpregnant rabbits for hematology and serum biochemistry analyses. Comparison of the results revealed statistically significant differences between pregnant and nonpregnant animals in several variables. The most pronounced difference was noticed in the mean serum concentration of cholesterol with a 30% lower mean value in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant animals. Other findings were increased mean values of MCV and MCH and decreased mean serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, electrolytes, glucose and creatinine in the pregnant does. Although the differences were of statistic significance, most changes were small and the ranges obtained were similar in the two groups.