Changes

Alkaline phophatase (ALP) is widely distributed in tissue and intepretation of a serum elevation is difficult due to age and species differences and lack of information. It is part of a standard biochemistry profile in mammals but its significance in reptiles is unknown and its interpretation unknown. It may be a constituent of some laboratories' reptilian profiles.

Alkaline phophatase (ALP) is widely distributed in tissue and intepretation of a serum elevation is difficult due to age and species differences and lack of information. It is part of a standard biochemistry profile in mammals but its significance in reptiles is unknown and its interpretation unknown. It may be a constituent of some laboratories' reptilian profiles.

''ALP isoenzymes are found in a variety of tissues including intestine, liver, bone, placenta, kidney and leucocytes. Levels are high (approximately twice adult levels) in young growing animals due to increases in bone ALP. Unlike [[Alanine aminotransferase|ALT]], AST and GLDH, increased serum levels of ALP are due to increased synthesis of the enzyme.''

''ALP isoenzymes are found in a variety of tissues including intestine, liver, bone, placenta, kidney and leucocytes. Levels are high (approximately twice adult levels) in young growing animals due to increases in bone ALP. Unlike [[Alanine aminotransferase|ALT]], [[Aspartate aminotransferase|AST]] and GLDH, increased serum levels of ALP are due to increased synthesis of the enzyme.''

== Small Animals ==

== Small Animals ==

==== Complementary tests ====

==== Complementary tests ====

Plasma ALP activity is usually determined in conjunction with other tests of hepatocellular damage or hepatic function, specifically ALT, AST, GGT, albumin and bile acids.

Plasma ALP activity is usually determined in conjunction with other tests of hepatocellular damage or hepatic function, specifically [[Alanine aminotransferase|ALT]], [[Aspartate aminotransferase|AST]], GGT, albumin and bile acids.

== Equine ==

== Equine ==

==== Complementary tests ====

==== Complementary tests ====

ALP activity is usually determined in conjunction with other tests of hepatocellular damage or hepatic function, specifically AST, GGT, GLDH and bile acids. Intestinal ALP is useful where intestinal pathology is suspected or the ALP activity is increased without other biochemical evidence of hepatic disease. Interpretation should take into consideration the age related reference ranges for serum and intestinal ALP, particularly high results in immature horses and foals.

ALP activity is usually determined in conjunction with other tests of hepatocellular damage or hepatic function, specifically [[Aspartate aminotransferase|AST]], GGT, GLDH and bile acids. Intestinal ALP is useful where intestinal pathology is suspected or the ALP activity is increased without other biochemical evidence of hepatic disease. Interpretation should take into consideration the age related reference ranges for serum and intestinal ALP, particularly high results in immature horses and foals.

== Authors and References ==

== Authors and References ==