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Lizard and Snake Biochemistry (view source)
Revision as of 16:08, 20 March 2010
, 16:08, 20 March 2010→Glucose
===Glucose===
===Glucose===
Both animal and environmental factors affect levels. Animal factors include species and nutritional status, and environmental factors include ambient temperature and season. Response to environmental cues tends to be species-specific. Glucose values are generally between 3–16 mmol/l. Glucose values in reptiles are presently considered of limited value because any changes tend to be non-specific and not sensitive. For instance, hypoglycaemia has been associated with starvation, malnutrition, high protein diets, severe liver disease, endocrinopathies and septicaemia. Hypoglycaemia has also been reported to cause tremors, loss of righting reflex, torpor and non-responsive pupils in some reptiles. Other problems, such as hypocalcaemia, are far more common though. Hyperglycaemia may occur with iatrogenic glucocorticoid use or excess delivery of glucose. Diabetes mellitus should also be considered.
Both animal and environmental factors affect levels. Animal factors include species and nutritional status, and environmental factors include ambient temperature and season. Response to environmental cues tends to be species-specific. [[Glucose|Glucose]] values are generally between 3–16 mmol/l. [[Glucose|Glucose]] values in reptiles are presently considered of limited value because any changes tend to be non-specific and not sensitive. For instance, hypoglycaemia has been associated with starvation, malnutrition, high protein diets, severe liver disease, endocrinopathies and septicaemia. Hypoglycaemia has also been reported to cause tremors, loss of righting reflex, torpor and non-responsive pupils in some reptiles. Other problems, such as hypocalcaemia, are far more common though. Hyperglycaemia may occur with iatrogenic glucocorticoid use or excess delivery of [[Glucose|glucose]]. Diabetes mellitus should also be considered.
===Lactate dehydrogenase===
===Lactate dehydrogenase===
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has a wide distribution in reptile tissues and elevations suggest tissue damage. In some species elevations over 1000 iu/l are considered significant. An increased value for LDH indicates tissue damage.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has a wide distribution in reptile tissues and elevations suggest tissue damage. In some species elevations over 1000 iu/l are considered significant. An increased value for LDH indicates tissue damage.