Species-specific hematological reference values are essential for diagnosis and treatment of disease and maintaining overall health of animals. This information is lacking for many species of elasmobranchs maintained in zoos and aquaria, thus reducing the effectiveness of care for these animals. Descriptive statistics and reference intervals were calculated for hematocrit and complete blood cell counts, biochemistry and protein electrophoresis parameters, trace minerals, vitamins, heavy metals, reproductive hormones, and fatty acids in the blood of 153 wild Sand Tigers Carcharias taurus of both sexes and a range of sizes caught in Delaware Bay (Delaware, USA). Mean hematocrit, total white blood cell counts, lymphocyte differentials, glucose, phosphorus, amylase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher in juveniles than in adults. Levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and differences in selenium and eicosapentaenoic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid) between males and females suggest that they are important parameters for improving Sand Tiger breeding success in managed care. Finally, blood metal levels for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury suggest low levels of contaminant exposure for Sand Tigers during their summer residence in Delaware Bay. The results of this study provide baseline health parameters for wild Sand Tigers that will aid in effective maintenance of aquarium animals and contribute to a greater understanding of the biology of these sharks and efforts to accomplish sustainable management of their populations.

中文翻译：

---

特拉华湾野生沙虎样本的基线健康和营养参数

物种特异性血液学参考值对于疾病的诊断和治疗以及维持动物的整体健康至关重要。动物园和水族馆饲养的许多板鳃类动物缺乏这些信息，从而降低了对这些动物的护理效果。对153只野生沙虎Carcharias taurus血液中的血细胞比容和全血细胞计数、生化和蛋白电泳参数、微量元素、维生素、重金属、生殖激素和脂肪酸进行了描述性统计和参考区间计算在特拉华湾（美国特拉华州）捕获的雌性和各种尺寸的鱼。青少年的平均血细胞比容、白细胞总数、淋巴细胞差异、葡萄糖、磷、淀粉酶和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶水平显着高于成人。雄性和雌性之间雌二醇、孕酮、睾酮的水平以及硒和二十碳五烯酸（一种多不饱和脂肪酸）的差异表明，它们是提高管理式护理中沙虎繁殖成功率的重要参数。最后，砷、镉、铅和汞的血液金属含量表明沙虎在特拉华湾夏季居住期间接触的污染物水平较低。