Lab Anim Res.  2011 Dec;27(4):283-291. 10.5625/lar.2011.27.4.283.

Basic data on the hematology, serum biochemistry, urology, and organ weights of beagle dogs

• Choi SY
• Hwang JS
• Kim IH
• Hwang DY
• Kang HG

• KMID: 1444960
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2011.27.4.283

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide basic data on physiological and hematological characteristics, and organ weights of beagle dogs. A total of 237 beagle dogs were used to determine differences in physiological and hematological parameters, and organ weights depending on sex and age. The respiratory rate of both sexes tended to increase as they grew older and the female heart rate was slightly higher than that of males. Male and female body weights increased rapidly to 33 weeks old followed by a gradual increase to 41-weeks-old. The relative weight of the brain was negatively correlated with body weight, whereas the weight of reproductive organs was positively correlated with body weight. The platelet count of female dogs was slightly higher than that of males. The red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit of both sexes increased non-significantly with age. In the leukocyte differential count, the neutrophils, and eosinophils of both sexes tended to increase as they grew older, whereas basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes decreased. In the serum biochemical profiles, alkaline phosphatase was slightly higher in males than females, while the total cholesterol of female dogs at 9-months-old was higher than that of males at the same age. Other biochemical components, including alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglyceride, and total protein increased non-significantly with age in both sexes. To conclude, we observe no significant physiological or hematological differences with sex or age, although decreasing and increasing trends were detected with some parameters. These data provide valuable reference indices of the normal physiological and hematological characteristics of beagle dogs, which should prove useful in toxicological and pharmacological studies.

Keyword

Physiology; hematology; serum biochemistry; age; organ weight; beagle dog

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Animals
Basophils
Biochemistry
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Body Weight
Brain
Cholesterol
Creatinine
Dogs
Eosinophils
Erythrocytes
Female
Heart Rate
Hematocrit
Hematology
Hemoglobins
Humans
Leukocytes
Lymphocytes
Male
Monocytes
Neutrophils
Organ Size
Platelet Count
Respiratory Rate
Urology
Alanine Transaminase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Cholesterol
Creatinine
Hemoglobins

Figure

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  Figure 1 Changes in body weights of male and female dogs.

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