The aim of the current research was to compare the effects of anticoagulants on routine biochemical in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Blood samples were obtained from eight clinically healthy pigeons. The sample obtained from each bird was divided into tubes with different anticoagulants (EDTA, heparin and sodium citrate) as well as plain tubes for collection of plasma and serum, respectively. The concentrations of creatinine, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, inorganic phosphate, calcium, magnesium, total protein, albumin, and iron and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The values of measured parameters, except iron, were significantly lower in the citrated plasma than the serum sample even after correction for dilution. In heparin samples, significant decreases in albumin, triglyceride, calcium, total cholesterol and ALP and a significant increase in iron concentration were observed when compared to the serum. The concentrations of total protein, creatinine, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, magnesium, calcium and inorganic phosphorous and activities of AST and ALP were significantly lower in EDTA plasma than those in serum. In conclusion, the effect of anticoagulants was significant for most of the measured parameters. The findings of the present study suggest that a heparinized sample is the most appropriate plasma sample for the measurement of a majority of blood biochemical parameters in the domestic pigeon.

Keywords