Evaluation of plasma and buffy coat ascorbic acid concentrations in dogs before and after a 24-hour fast.

Samples of blood were taken from 15 female and 15 male research laboratory Beagles before and after they were fasted for 24 hours. The mean buffy coat ascorbic acid concentration was significantly higher in dogs after they were fasted than that before they were fasted. In contrast, the mean plasma ascorbic acid concentration was significantly lower in dogs after they were fasted than that before they were fasted. The mean buffy coat ascorbic acid concentrations in blood samples of both fasted and nonfasted female Beagles was significantly greater than those of male Beagles, whereas the mean plasma concentrations of both fasted and nonfasted female Beagles was significantly lower than those of male Beagles. It was observed that whenever there was a decrease in plasma ascorbic acid concentration, there was an increase in buffy coat ascorbic acid concentration, regardless of fasting stress or sex difference.