Serum biochemical and hematological parameters of captive white-tailed fawns.

Blood samples were collected, at one day of age and at weekly intervals from one through 25 weeks of age, from seven white-tailed fawns (Odocoileus virginianus) to determine the effect of age upon serum biochemical and hematological values. Serum total protein concentration increased continually during the six month period. The rate of anabolism of serum gamma-globulin exceeded the rate of catabolism at about seven weeks of age. Serum cholesterol concentration more than doubled from one day to eight weeks of age. Blood hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume increased markedly during the first eight weeks of life, but tended to remain constant from eight to 25 weeks of age. Blood erythrocyte count increased throughout the duration of the study; however, the relative increase was greater during the first eight weeks of age than thereafter.