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Effects of Feeding on Plasma Uric Acid and Urea Concentrations in Blackfooted Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

Abstract Preprandial and postprandial plasma uric acid concentrations were evaluated in 12 healthy blackfooted penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Five male and 7 female penguins were fasted overnight, and blood was collected the next morning. Four days later, the same group of birds was given a morning feeding of fish ad libitum. Each bird's food consumption was recorded over a 2-hour feeding period. A blood sample was collected from each bird after removal of the fish (0- to 2-hour postprandial sample) and again 4 hours later (4- to 6-hour postprandial sample). Plasma samples were analyzed for uric acid and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. In the 8 birds that consumed food during the 2-hour feeding period, plasma uric acid concentrations were significantly higher in both the 0- to 2-hour and 4- to 6-hour postprandial samples than in the preprandial samples. Uric acid concentrations were significantly lower in the 4- to 6-hour postprandial samples than in the 0- to 2-hour postprandial samples. Preprandial uric acid concentrations were <10 mg/dl, and 0- to 2-hour postprandial concentrations were >13.4 mg/dl (mean concentration = 21.2 mg/dl). No significant differences were found between preprandial and postprandial BUN concentrations. In penguins, uric acid concentrations must be measured after a fast to avoid a possible misdiagnosis of renal disease or gout.