Indian J. Vet. Pathol.

, 33(2) : 238-239, 2009

Haemato-biochemical observations in emu

(Dromaius novaehollandiae)
B. Kiran Kumar, E. Swapna, M. Lakashman*, V. Rajashekar Reddy and A. Ravindra Reddy
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Science,
Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad-500 030

ABSTRACT
Kiran Kumar, B., Swapna, E., Lakashman, M., Reddy, V. Rajashekar and Reddy, A. Ravindra (2009). Haemato-bio chemical observations in
emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Indian J. Vet. Pathol., 33(2): 238-239.

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) farming in India is gaining commercial importance. Due to scanty information on emus under Indian
agro-climatic conditions, an attempt has been made to provide the base line data for future research. This study was undertaken to evaluate
the haemato-biochemical parameters in 12 (6 of each sex) adult, apparently healthy emus. The total leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimen-
tation rate and lymphocyte, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and albumin/globulin ratio were higher in males, whereas HDL-cholesterol
and aspartate transaminase levels were higher in females.
Keywords: Emu, haematology, serum biochemistry

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), a native of Australia, The biochemical parameters like total proteins, albumin,
Downloaded From IP - 117.211.167.37 on dated 20-Jun-2018

is a member of the flightless bird family called Ratites globulin and its ratio were estimated and calculated from
(Ratites includes ostrich, emus, cassowaries, rheas and the values of total protein and albumin. Other parameters
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kiwis). In last few years ostrich and emu farming has like alanine transaminase (ALT), asparatate transaminase
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been taken up extensively in India. In Andhra Pradesh,
a number of emu farms have been set up as a commercial
farms2. Rearing of emu birds is gaining an importance,
since their meat is tender, delicious and has low
cholesterol content3. The availability of basic biologic
data of emu like haemato-biochemical parameters is
meager under Indian agro-climatic conditions 2,3 .
Therefore, an attempt was made to study the haemato-
biochemical parameters in healthy adult emus reared
under identical conditions to prove as a base line data in
Indian agro-climatic conditions.
A total of 12 (6 males and 6 females) adult, apparently
healthy emu birds aged about 4 years were selected for
the study. Eight ml blood was collected in the morning
hours from jugular vein on standing position by using 10
ml syringe and 20 gauge needles, after disengaging the
needle, 3 ml of blood was poured into EDTA (@ 1 mg/ml)
containing vial for haematological parameters and 5 ml
of blood poured into sterile test tubes without
anticoagulant for serum separation. Serum was separated
and stored into sterile containers for biochemical analysis
of various parameters. The blood smears were prepared
for differential leukocyte counts (DLC) and absolute
counts 1. All haematological parameters like total
erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin concentration,
packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC)
were analyzed as per standard method 5. Mean
corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular
haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin
concentration (MCHC) were derived from these values.
*Corresponding author; E-mail: mekala_bly@yahool.com
(AST), alkaline phasphatase (AP), total cholesterols (HDL
cholesterols and LDL-cholesterols), triglycerides, serum
calcium and creatinine were estimated by using standard
kits (Mediprob Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad).
The experimental data were expressed as mean±SE
and subjected to t-test analysis6. All the statements of
significance were based at P<0.05 level of probability6.
The mean values of heamato-biochemical parameters
are presented in the table 1. The values TLC were
numerically significant in males (18.11±2.48) than the
females (14±1.12). Similar values were also observed by
previous workers 1,3,4. In males, higher numerical
significance was also observed in ESR (2nd hr reading in
male 50±6.32; in female 38±8.0) and lymphocyte (male
12.09±1.60; females 9.36±1.08) counts. Among serum
enzymes profile, higher values in males were recorded
in total cholesterol (85.29±23.23), LDL – cholesterol
(53.43±22.18) and AG ratio (10.09±6.79). Whereas in
females higher values were recorded of HDL–cholesterols
(11.68±2.30) and AST (38.04±19.43).
The higher values in TLC, ESR, lymphocyte counts
and total and LDL–cholesterols in males and higher
values in MCV, basophills, HDL–cholesterols and AST
in females could be due to age, sex hormones and
individual activity. In general male and female birds
have shown all the values within the normal range and
comparable with previous records1.7. The significance of
the study is that the birds have shown proper or stable
adaptability to the changed environment. Hence, they
are very much suitable for commercial rearing any
where under Indian agro-climatic conditions.
 Haemato-biochemical observations in emu 239

Table 1. The mean values (stastical data) of haemograms and serum profiles
Sl. Parameter Mean±SE df F p
No. Male Female
1. Total erythrocytes (Mill / µl) 4.56±0.68 4.16±0.49 1,10 0.218 0.651
2. Haemoglobin (g%) 15.91±1.10ns 14.13±1.37ns 1,10 1.027 0.335
3. Packed cell volume (%) 45.83±4.25ns 43.33±1.47ns 1,10 0.308 0.591
4. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm fall per hour)
1 hr 23.33±3.33ns 21.66±40.1ns 1,10 0.102 0.756
2 hr 50±6.32ns 38±8.00 1,10 0.036 0.854
5. Mean corpuscular volume (fl) 109.00±15.07ns 113.2±16.30ns 1,10 0.036 0.854
6. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (pg) 39.6±6.85 36.38±6.15 1,10 0.122 0.735
7. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (g/dl)35.66±3.06 32.83±3.39 1,10 0.386 0.549
8. Total leucocyte count (thousand / µl) 18.11±2.48 14.11±1.12 1,10 2.147 0.174
9. Differential leukocyte count (%)
Heterophils 30.00±3.62 31.50±2.26 1,10 0.123 0.733
Lymphocytes 67.33±3.69 65.5±2.63 1,10 0.163 0.694
Basophils 166±0.00 3.00±.00 1,10 0.05 0.828
Eosinophils 1.80±0.37 1.83±0.4 1,10 0.323 0.583
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Monocytes 1.00±0.00 1.00±0.00 1,10 0.385 0.549

10. Absolute leukocyte count (No’s)
Heterophils 5.61±1.28 4.34±0.21 1,10 0.947 0.354
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Lymphocytes 12.09±1.60 9.36±1.08 1,10 0.013 0.186

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Basophils 0.24±0.04 0.43±0.06 1,10 0.052 0.824

Eosinophils 0.28±0.03 0.24±0.04 1,10 0.005 0.945
Monocytes 0.16±0.00 0.16±0.00 1,10 0.327 0.58
11. Plasma proteins (g/dl) 7.43±0.50 8.216±0.73 1,10 0.779 0.398
12. ALT (IU) 0.024±0.005 0.0189±0.004 1,10 0.488 0.501
13. AST (IU) 16.16±1.53 38.04±0.87 1,10 1.261 0.288
14. Total proteins (g/dl) 4.05±0.41 4.68±0.87 1,10 0.44 0.522
15. Albumin (g/dl) 2.90±0.14 3.18±0.45 1,10 0.333 0.576
16. Globulin (g/dl) 1.12±0.35 1.49±0.45 1,10 0.419 0.532
17. A/G Ratio 10.09±6.79 3.43±1.29 1,10 0.927 0.358
18. Total-Cholesterol (mg/dl) 85.29±33.22 66.66±14.47 1,10 0.465 0.5111
19. LDL-Cholesterols (mg/dl) 53.42±22.18 26.56±3.94 1,10 1.422 0.261
20. HDL-Cholesterols (mg/dl) 8.38±1.36 11.68±2.30 1,10 1.517 0.246
21. Triglycerides (mg/dl) 11.4±26.36 244.7±102.11 1,10 1.457 0.255
22. Serum calcium (mg/dl) 3.05±0.62 3.18±0.97 1,10 0.014 0.908
23. Alkaline phasphatase (KA units) 3.94±0.40 4.30±0.96 1,10 0.119 0.737
24. Serium creatinine (mg/dl) 0.23±0.14 0.19±0.12 1,10 0.038 0.849
df-degrees of freedom, F-Calculated value, P-Probability

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are thankful to the Dean, Faculty of
Veterinary Science, Associate Dean, Head, Department
of LPM and Pathology, College of Veterinary Science,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad for their permission and
cooperation to carry out the work.
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