Vol. 10, Issue 12, Part E (2025)

Author(s): Ilayaraja Selvaraj, Srinu Srikanta Maharana, Adhithyan NK, Arun A Sha and Baijuraj MV

Abstract: Serum biochemical parameters related to liver function, with emphasis on bile acids, were evaluated in 85 rehabilitated sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) to establish reference values and assess the influence of age and sex. Analytes Measured Included Albumin (ALB), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bile acids (BA), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), globulin (GLOB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TBIL), and total protein (TP). Bears were stratified into two age groups (< 15 years, N=10; > 16 years, N=75) and further analyzed by sex. No significant age-related differences were found for ALB, ALKP, ALT, AST, BA, GGT, LDH, or TBIL. TP was significantly higher in older bears (P=0.042), and GLOB showed a near-significant trend toward elevation (P=0.054). Among bears > 16 years, females had significantly higher BA concentrations than males (P=0.015). These findings provide the first reference data on bile acids in sloth bears and indicate relative stability of liver-associated serum biochemistry across age groups, with subtle variations in protein metabolism and sex-specific differences in bile acid regulation.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i12e.2838