Blood lactate level in Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco)

Abstract

Blood lactate concentration is often used in critically ill patients to identify tissue hypoxia, and its values have been referred to as prognostic markers in several settings, with blood lactate in Toco toucan never being described before. Hyperlactatemia is related as a sign of systemic and local hypoperfusion and as a prognostic indicator, being associated with the death of sick patients. The objective of this work was to describe the serum lactate levels in Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) aiming to start a line of research using this analysis as a biological prognostic marker in this species. 17 free-living Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) were used, temporarily kept in captivity at the Laboratory of Teaching and Research of Wild Animals (LAPAS) of the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). All were captured by the Environmental Police or IBAMA and sent to LAPAS for treatment, rehabilitation and subsequent release. The collection was performed for clinical monitoring of animals and, in the case of lactate, authorized by Opinion No. 365-2016 of the Ethics, Bioethics and Animal Welfare Commission of the University of Vila Velha (CEUA-UVV). In Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) blood lactate values are between 4.2 and 6.7 mMol/L; however, further studies are needed comparing these results with others obtained in animals with specific pathologies, to characterize its use as a prognostic indicator and also moment of release.