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 Ý ß Haem10- Normal Haematology Values for Ursus arctos - Brown bear

Reference Values

(Please note that the references are given in the units in the original publication and that "SD+" represents "Standard Deviation" Reference ranges are only as good as the data entered, and as consistent as the laboratory standards allow.  Users should use their professional judgement in viewing these values

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Parameter

Units

 Ref 1a.
Mean +/- SE		 Ref 1a.
Range		 Ref 2a.
Mean (Range)		 Ref 2b.
Range		 Ref 2c.
Range		 Ref 2b.
Range		 Ref 3.
Mean +/- SD (+/- SE)		 Ref 3.
Range		 Ref 4.
Mean +/- SE		 Ref 5.
Range		 Ref 6.
Mean +/- SE		 Ref 6.
Range		 Ref 7a.
Mean +/- SD		 Ref 7a.
Range		 Ref 7b.
Mean +/- SD		 Ref 7b.
Range		 Ref 7c.
(Single value)		 Ref 8.
Mean +/- SD		 Ref 9a. 
 Range		 Ref 9b. Range Ref 10.
 Range

Units

 Parameter
Haemoglobin g/litre             157 +/- 18.9 (+/- 2.48) 110 - 191                           g/litre Haemoglobin
g/dl 17.8 +/- 6.4 11.7 - 59.4 19.4 (17.5 - 22.4) 14.9 - 18.4 12.8 - 15.7 12.5 - 19.1     Female 16.2 +/- 0.3
Male 15.5 +/- 0.3		 16.5 - 21.4 15.5 +/- 0.17 10.9 - 19.5 15.9 +/- 1.66 14.0 - 20.0 15.0 +/- 0.71 14.0 - 16.0 18.8 15.2 +/- 1.7 15.0 - 20.8 g % 
(9.3 - 12.01 mmol/L)		 14.6 - 19.75 g %
(9.05 - 12.25 mmol/L)		 15.8 - 20.8 g % g/dl
RBC
(Erythrocyte)
count		 x1012/l             6.48 +/- 0.94 (+/- 0.12) 4.30 - 8.20                           x1012/l RBC
(Erythrocyte)
count
x106/mm3     6.07 (5.20 - 7.05) 5.20 - 5.69 4.58 - 4.93 3.22 - 4.61     Female 6.2 +/- 0.1
Male 5.9 +/- 0.1		   6.08 +/- 0.06 4.95 - 7.24 7.16 +/- 0.914 6.05 - 9.25 5.96 +/- 0.698 5.30 - 7.28 8.45 6.32 +/- 0.56     5.18 - 6.10 x106/mm3
x106/μl 6.36 +/- 0.87 4.17 - 8.93               6.6 - 8.5                 5.11 - 6.80 5.8  - 6.9   x106/μl
PCV (Haematocrit) l/l             46.7 +/- 7.36 (+/- 0.98) 26.0 - 59.0   45 - 58                       l/l PCV (Haematocrit)
% 46.8 +/- 5.1 36.8 - 62.7 56 (51 - 65) 42 - 50 38 - 49 39 - 61     43.1 +/- 0.5   49.0 +/- 0.50 37.4 - 61.8 49.0 +/- 6.0 42 - 63 44.0 +/- 2.2 41 - 48 55.5 42.2 +/- 4.8 38 - 52 36 - 50 43 - 66 %
MCV fl (or μm3) 73.4 +/- 4.5 62.9 - 85.9 92 (88-98) 80 - 88 84 - 99 12 - 132 71.9 +/- 9.49 (+/- 1.26) 44.1 - 93.0   66.1 - 71.4 81.6 +/- 0.50 70 - 90 69 +/- 3.2 62 - 73 75 +/- 7.2 72 - 85 66 66.8 +/- 5.8       fl (or μm3) MCV
MCH pg/cell 26.6 +/- 1.9 20.5 - 31.8 32 (30-34) 29 - 32 28 - 32 39 - 41 24.5 +/- 3.63 (+/- 0.48) 15.4 - 33.5   22.2 - 26.5 25.5 +/- 0.19 21.5 - 32.5 22 +/- 1.4 19 - 24 25 +/- 2.2 21 - 28 22 24.2 +/- 1.8 μμg       pg/cell MCH
mg/dl                                           mg/dl
MCHC g/dl 37.9 +/- 13.0 31.2 - 138.1 35 (34-36) 36 - 36 30 - 34 31 - 32 34.3 +/- 6.35 (+/- 0.86) 14.0 - 63.8                           g/dl MCHC
%                     31.3% +/- 0.20 28.7 - 36.5 32 +/- 1.4 29 - 34 34 +/- 0.33 33 - 35 30 36.0 +/- 1.9       %
Tot. WBC
(Leukocytes)		 x109/l             12.9 +/- 6.61 (+/- 0.87) 3.90 - 37.6                           x109/l Tot. WBC
(Leukocytes)
x103/μl (x103/mm3) 8.03 +/- 2.71 2.90 - 15.30 10.6 (8.6 - 12.2) 8.3 - 16.6 6.6 - 9.6 2.0 - 9.5       5.3 - 11.0 8.0 +/- 0.35 2.6 - 16.5 10.2 7.1 - 24.6** 26.7 14.8 - 24.5** 10.5 8.79 +/- 4.05 3.1 - 13.4 9.25 - 12.45 4.15 - 13.4 x103/μl (x103/mm3)
Neutrophils x109/l             10.3 +/- 5.86 (+/- 0.79)
Bands 0.23 +/- 0.48 (+/- 0.07)		 2.55 - 23.7 (Bands <0.01 - 3.07)                           x109/l Neutrophils
%                         69 (band 4) 28 - 89 (band 0 - 10) 80 (band 7) 73 - 91 (band 7 - 13) --   58 - 82 
(bands 0 - 6)		 62 - 76
(bands 0 -11)		 62 - 66 
(bands 0 - 3)		 %
x103/μl 5.417 +/- 2.193 (bands 0.277 +/- 0.372) 0.264 - 13.0 (bands 0.0 - 1.41)                               7.25 +/- 3.54
(bands 0.0 +/- 0.1)		       x103/μl
Lymphocytes x109/l             1.92 +/- 1.97 (+/- 0.27) <0.01 - 12.4                           x109/l Lymphocytes
%                         20 7 - 60 9 5 - 19 --   12 - 39 8 - 25 28 - 33 %
x103/μl 1.663 +/- 1.310 0.064 - 10.80                               1.24 +/- 0.57       x103/μl
Monocytes x109/l             0.12 +/- 0.29 (+/- 0.04) <0.01 - 1.59)                           x109/l Monocytes
%                         6 0 - 12 4 2 - 7 --   0 - 4 0 - 6 1 - 4 %
x103/μl 0.362 +/- 0.284 0.0 - 1.885                               0.20 +/- 0.23       x103/μl
Eosinophils x109/l             0.29 +/- 0.51 (+/- 0.07) <0.01 - 2.58                           x109/l Eosinophils
%                         0 0 - 1 0 0 --   0 - 4 10 - 14 1 - 4 %
x103/μl 0.667 +/- 0.615 0.029 - 4.864                               0.24 +/- 0.29       x103/μl
Basophils x109/l             0.003 +/- 0.02 (+/- 0.003) <0.01 - 0.14                           x109/l Basophils
%                         1 0 - 6 0 0 - 1 --       0 %
x103/μl 0.073 +/- 0.138 0.0 - 0.459                               0.01 +/- 0.02       x103/μl
Platelets x109/l                                           x109/l Platelets
x103/μl 366 +/- 6 134-719                                       x103/μl
Plasma protein g/dl                                   8.0 +/- 0.7       g/dl Plasma protein
Plasma fibrinogen mg/dl                                           mg/dl Plasma fibrinogen
Erythrocyte 
sedimentation rate 
(ESR)		 mm             15 min: 0.16 +/- 0.43 (+/- 0.07)
30 min: 0.44 +/- 0.71 (+/- 0.11)
60 min: 1.77 +/- 3.64 (+/- 0.54)
120 min: 2.86 +/- 5.75 (+/- 0.87)		 15 mins: < 0.01 - 2.00
30 min: <0.01 - 3.00
60 min: < 0.01 - 18.0
120 min: <0.01 - 33.0		                           mm Erythrocyte 
sedimentation 
rate (ESR)

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Reference 1.
Wildpro Data Source B336.51.w51
Ref Title Ursidae and Hyenidae
Ref Author(s) Ramsay, E.C.
Animal Details --
Laboratory Techniques --
Comments Data from ISIS, October 1999

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Reference 2.

Wildpro Data Source J460.22.w1
Ref Title Hematology of the Ursidae
Ref Author(s) Seal, U.S., Swaim, W.R., Erickson, A.W.
Animal Details Bears from zoos in North America.

a) Four adult females and three adult males in April.

b) One adult female, sampled three times 30th November to 16th January, and one male sampled 30th November.

c) Four cubs, three months old, in late April.

d) Two cubs, four hours old, in January
Laboratory Techniques  
Comments  

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Reference 3.

Wildpro Data Source J1.41.w5
Ref Title Effects of sex, age, body mass, and capturing method on hematologic values of brown bears in Croatia
Ref Author(s) Kusak, J., Rafaj, R.B., Zvorc, Z., Huber, D., Forsek, J., Bedrica, L. & Mrljak, V.
Animal Details Wild and captive brown bears in Croatia, 41 to 59 samples per value. Age mean +/- SD 4.3 +/- 3.46 (range 0.25 - 15.0), including 28 subadults under three years of age and 32 adults older than three years. Thirty eight of the bears weighed up to 100 kg and 25 more than this; three bears were sampled as subadults and later as adults. Forty-four of the samples were obtained in winter/spring (January to end June) and 21 in summer/autumn (fall) (July to end December); none were from hibernating bears. All appeared clinically normal (healthy) at the time of sampling. Values more than 2.5 SD from the mean were considered as extreme variations and removed from the calculations, except for monocytes and basophils.
Laboratory Techniques --
Comments The following were noted:
  • Males significantly different from females for: erythrocyte count (6.73 x1012/L vs. 6.18 x1012/L, p = 0.02); sedimentation after 30 minutes (0.72 mm vs. 0.22 mm, P + 0.02); leucocyte count (15.1 x 109/L vs. 10.40 x 109/L, p = 0.01), segmented neutrophils 12.2 x 109/L vs. 8.36 x 109/L, p = 0.01). (J1.41.w5)
  • Captive bears were significantly different from free-living bears for: leucocytes (8.07 x 109/L vs. 16.1 x 109/L, p < 0.01; segmented neutrophils (5.80 x 109/L vs. 13.6 x 109/L, p < 0.01) and eosinophils (0.53 x 109/L vs. 0.01 x 109/L, p = 0.001). For the same parameters, non-snared bears were significantly different from snared bears (i.e. higher leucocytes and segmented neutrophils in snared bears, but lower eosinophils). Multiple regression indicated that capture method was responsible for about 85% of the variation in leucocyte count and segmented neutrophil count; segmented neutrophils were about 79.5% of the total leucocyte count. The increased leucocyte count in snared bears is consistent with the greater muscular activity, while the increases neutrophil counts could be partially attributed to excitement; the snared bears showed a stress-type leucogram. (J1.41.w5)
  • MCV was significantly higher in older bears (> three years) than in younger bears. (J1.41.w5)
  • Lymphocyte counts were higher in summer/fall sampled bears than in winter/spring sampled bears (2.85 x 109/L vs. 1.49 x 109/L). (J1.41.w5)

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Reference 4.

Wildpro Data Source J40.63.w4
Ref Title Evaluating nutritional condition of grizzly bears via select blood parameters
Ref Author(s) Gau, R.J. & Case, R.
Animal Details Wild bears, captured by darting from a helicopter, using Tiletamine-Zolazepam. Data are from 47 captures of 23 bears.
Laboratory Techniques Blood was collected from the femoral artery or jugular vein into Vacutainer tubes. Serum was separated at the end of each day and stored at -20 C. Whole blood, collected in EDTA tubes, was refrigerated in the field and analysed within seven days of collection. Lipaemic or hemolysed samples were not included in the results. 
Comments --

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Reference 5.

Wildpro Data Source J200.34.w1
Ref Title Physiology of the European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos)
Ref Author(s) Hissa, R.
Animal Details Twelve captive brown bears in Finland. Samples collected with bears immobilised using Medetomidine-Ketamine Anaesthesia in Bears.
Laboratory Techniques --
Comments In general, several studies have found that the RBC (Erythrocyte) count is higher and the MCV lower in brown bears in winter, i.e. the bears have more, but smaller, erythrocytes in winter. RBC diameter in brown bears has been described as 5.8 - 10.2 µm in males and 5.1 - 8.5 µm in females. (J200.34.w1)

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Reference 6.

Wildpro Data Source J30.63.w4
Ref Title Hematological characteristics of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in central and northeastern Alaska
Ref Author(s) Brannon, R.D.
Animal Details A total of 85 grizzly bears, pursued by helicopter and darted with phencyclidine plus acepromazine. For each blood value, 78 samples were used (74 for total white cell count). Two samples were taken from each bear, one as soon as possible after the bear was immobilized, the second about one hour later. Samples were taken from the femoral artery into EDTA Vacutainer tubes.
Laboratory Techniques All samples were analysed on the day of collection.
Comments
  • Samples taken one hour after immobilization had significantly higher WBC counts than those taken immediately after immobilization. It was presumed that the difference was due to tissue damage (from the dart and removal of muscle tissue samples). (J30.63.w4)
  • Initial samples had higher erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin concentration than second samples. (J30.63.w4)
  • RBC counts and haematocrit were higher (P < 0.01) for bears captured in the Alaska Range than for those captured in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This was thought to be related to more vigorouse exercise of the Alaska Range bears during capture. (J30.63.w4)
  • Body weights correlated with RBC count. (J30.63.w4)

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Reference 7.

Wildpro Data Source J30.50.w1
Ref Title Hematology of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) from southwestern Yukon Territory, Canada
Ref Author(s) Pearson, A.M. & Halloran, D.W.
Animal Details a) Twelve bears (six males, six females) sampled 25th April to 22nd May (including seven bears just out of their dens).

b) Eight bears  (six males, two females) sampled 27th June to 28th August.

c) One bear (male) sampled 20th October.

Laboratory Techniques Most tests were carried out in the field.
Comments ** WBC counts of 7.4 and 24.6 x 10³/mm³ in spring in two bears known to have infections, maximum 11.2 in bears not known to have infections. In four summer-sampled bears known to have infections, 23.4, 24.9, 29.2 and 52.610³/mm³, but maximum 24.5 in bears not known to have infections. (J30.50.w1)

In summer, compared with spring soon after emergence from hibernation, bears had smaller numbers of larger cells containing more haemoglobin; in late autumn findings were similar to in early spring. Mean diameter of erythrocytes was 6.0 microns (range 4.5 - 8.0 microns) in spring, versus 6.5 (range 5.0 - 8.5) in summer. (J30.50.w1)

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Reference 8.
Wildpro Data Source J1.19.w14
Ref Title Use of dissociative anesthetics for the immobilization of captive bears: blood gas, hematology and biochemistry values
Ref Author(s) Bush, M., Custer, R.S. & Smith, E.E.
Animal Details Nineteen samples, from three male and four female brown bears at the National Zoo, Washington, D.C., USA.
Laboratory Techniques --
Comments --

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Reference 9.
Wildpro Data Source P5.30.w3
Ref Title Weitere Hamatologische und Biochemische Befunde von Gesunden und Kranken Ursiden (Thalarctos maritimus, Ursus arctos und Helarctos malayanus) [Additional heamatological and biochemical findings recorded from clinically intact and pathologically affected ursine animals (Thalarctos maritimus, Ursus arctos and Helarctos malayanus)]
Ref Author(s) Kuntze, A. & Hundsdorf, P.
Animal Details a) Ten adult bear samples.

b) 10 juvenile bear samples.
Laboratory Techniques --
Comments --

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Reference 10.
Wildpro Data Source P5.27.w1
Ref Title Hamatologische und Biochemische Parameter von Gesunden und Kranken Eisbaren (Thalarctos maritimus) und Baunbaren (Ursus arctos) [Haematological and biochemical parameters of clinically intact and pathologically affected polar bears (Thalarctos maritimus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos)]
Ref Author(s) Kuntze, A. & Hundsdorf, P.
Animal Details Five samples.
Laboratory Techniques --
Comments --

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Other Major Databases with Reference Values
Some database systems generate normal values on an on-going basis, and some organisations publish information within animal management guidelines. As the normal values do vary as more information is added, the links to these databases are provided, rather than incorporating the actual data.

Some of these databases do charge for access, or may have restricted access and enquiries should be made directly to the database providers.

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