Hematological and biochemical blood values in wild populations of black howler monkeys ( Alouatta pigra) of Campeche, México.

Background The clinical analyses of free-ranging New World primates are extremely limited. The aim of this study was to obtain baseline data of blood chemistry and hematological values of free-ranging Alouatta pigra. Method 17 males and 17 females were captured. We collected blood from the caudal tail vein; conventional techniques were used to analyze the samples Results Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocytes were significantly higher in males than in females. In relation to biochemical blood values, albumin/globulin ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron were significantly higher in males than in females, while creatinine was significantly higher in females than in males. Conclusions In general, measured parameters are similar to those of other primates and will be used as reference values for futures studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]