Alaskan Moose Blood Studies with Emphasis on Condition Evaluation

Franzmann, Albert; LeResche, Robert

From various regions and populations of Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas), 1,506 serum and 1,235 whole blood samples were obtained. Collections at the MRC provided 687 serum and 646 whole blood samples. Blood serum was analyzed for Ca, P, glucose, UN, uric acid, cholesterol, bilirubin, alkaline phosphotase, LDH, GOT, TP, albumin, globulin, alpha 1 globulin, alpha 2 globulin, beta globulin, and gamma globulin. Hemoglobin and PCV values were obtained from whole blood. Blood samples were classified as to sex, age, month and year sampled, age class, season-age class, reproductive status, rectal temperature class (excitability), location and condition. Season classification was a source of variation at some point for every blood parameters whereas pregnancy was the only classification influencing none. Sex was a source of variation only during rutting period (October), and age influenced each blood parameter except P, glucose, alpha globulin and beta globulin. Phosphorus levels were influenced significantly by lactation. Rectal temperature class was a significant source of variation for glucose, LDH, albumin, and all globulin fractions. All adult blood parameters were at some point influenced by location except gamma globulin. Condition improvement in adult moose significantly increased Ca, P, glucose, TP, albumin, beta globulin, HB and PCV values. Condition rating, based upon the premise that animal form and composition are dictated largely by the interactions of the complexes of climate and nutrition, was used to compare populations classified to eliminate most major sources of variation. Blood parameters most useful in condition evaluation in order of values were PCV, Hb, Ca and P. Glucose, albumin, and beta globulin also increased with improved condition, but were influenced additionally by excitability. Adult moose from 5 populations sampled during late winter were ranked based upon condition influenced blood values, and a ranking was provided based upon inclusion of a known highly productive population (Copper River Delta) and a poor producing population (MRC). Using condition influenced parameters, we considered adult moose with the following blood levels or greater to be in an average or better condition: PCV-50 percent; HB-18.6 g/100 ml; Ca-10.4 mg/100 ml; P-5.2 mg/100 ml; TP-7.5 g/100 ml; albumin-4.5 g/100 ml; beta globulin-0.7 g/100 ml; and glucose-140 g/100 ml. These parameters may provide game managers with additional quantitative information to help formulate management decisions.

Alaskan Moose Blood Studies with Emphasis on Condition Evaluation

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