Veterinary/zoology session

Our research consisted of the study of the haematological and bood biochemical values of the barn owl (Tyto alba). We drew blood from 111 birds (31 adults and 80 owlets). We performed hematological (qualitative and quantitative profiles) and biochemical (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, total protein, lipase, uric acid, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bile acids and glutamate dehydrogenase) examinations from the blood of the adult barn owls. Only smears were made from the owlets’ blood, and an estimated white blood cell number and a qualitative blood profile was determined.

Our goal was on one hand to set reference values and on the other hand to examine the relationship between age and the white blood cell number.

Our study proved that there is a connection between age and the number of white blood cells, heterophil granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophil granulocytes and basophil granulocytes in barn owls. Aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase values were higher in adult barn owls than the usual reference parameters for birds, while total protein, lipase, uric acid, amylase and bile acids were similar to the values in other bird species.

During our work, it became clear that the haematological and blood biochemical examinations commonly used on large and small animals can be used with barn owls as well. The reference range for barn owls that we set up will hopefully help in future researches and this way play a part in maintaining the barn owl in the future.