Increased β-globulin levels in captive oriental white storks fed a diet of sand eels

The aim of the study was to identify the effects of two different diets (sand eels or saurels) on the serum protein electrophoretic patterns of Oriental White Storks held in captivity. The tests were performed on two groups of storks according to the diet (group 1 and 2). Twenty-two (group 1) or twenty-nine (group 2) storks were included. The values of complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry profiles, protein fractions (albumin, α-globulin, β-globulin, and γ-globulin), and lipoprotein (high density- [HDL] and low density lipoprotein [LDL]) were compared between samples obtained during two groups (p < 0.05). The α-globulin fraction was decreased and the β-globulin fraction was significantly increased in samples obtained from group 1 compared to those obtained from group 2. In group 1, the concentration of LDL was also significantly increased compared to that of group 2. In conclusion, we confirmed that the β-globulin fraction was significantly elevated in storks fed sand eels.