| Summary: | Insectivorous bats from the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere are a specific group of mammals with enormous differences in metabolic activity during the year and numerous adaptations of very special life strategies. Their metabolic status shifts from considerable reduction during hibernation to high extremes in females during lactation. Both hibernation and lactation represent extremes in the metabolic status. Considering the growth rate of juvenile bats, females are not able to provide nutrition solely based on their feed without use of their stored resources. These extreme metabolic changes are likely to be reflected in hematological and blood chemistry parameters. Since analytical methods in hematology and blood chemistry are improving and sample volumes necessary for analysis are low enough for use in larger European bat species, we were able to describe changes in blood parameters in greater mouse-eared and noctule bats during different life stages. We collected blood samples from a total of 130 greater mouseeared bat (Myotis myotis) and 80 noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) specimens during the whole year and measured blood parameters using VetScan VS2 and i-STAT analyzers. While significant differences in hibernating bats were related to the hydration status and ion imbalance, lactating females showed the most significant alteration in calcium and albumin levels apparently due to milk production. Our results show the importance of protection of bats in hibernacula and maternity roosts as animals in these stages of life are very vulnerable.
|
|---|