Name
Parathyroid Hormone, Ionized Calcium, and Total Calcium Concentrations in the Domestic Rabbit
Speakers
Description
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a primary regulator of calcium homeostasis. In response to decreases in circulating ionized calcium, PTH is released from the chief cells of the parathyroid gland. The actions of PTH are three-fold: increasing calcium reabsorption and phosphorus excretion in the renal tubules, stimulating osteoclastic bone resorption releasing calcium and phosphorus into the extracellular fluid, and increasing calcitriol (1,25 (OH)2 D3) production which increases absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine.1 There is a lack of published reference values for PTH in rabbits despite reports of both primary hypoparathyroidism and primary hyperparathyroidism. Additionally, there is sparse literature evaluating ionized calcium in rabbits.2,3 Total calcium values have been established for rabbits, however the values are included in this dataset for comparison.4 A total of 50 privately owned rabbits, ranging in age from 1–7 years of age, were included in this study. All participants were found to be apparently healthy based on history, physical examination, complete blood count, and serum biochemistry evaluation. Ionized calcium (iCal) was evaluated using CG8+ cartridges on i-STAT. Ionized calcium was also evaluated using a benchtop analyzer at a veterinary university diagnostic laboratory. PTH was evaluated using commercially available automated chemoiluminescent immunometric assays. Reference intervals for PTH, total calcium, and ionized calcium for both the iSTAT and benchtop values were established for rabbits using the published American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology reference interval guidelines. Results from this study will aid clinicians in the diagnosis and management of calcium disorders in rabbits.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)