Overview

• In rabbits, bile acids are produced in a circadian rhythm.
• Bile acids are predominantly made up of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid.
• Primary bile acids are derived from cholesterol in the liver.
• Bile acids are conjugated in the liver with taurine or glycine and are excreted in bile via the bile duct as their sodium salts (bile salts).
• Bile acids are secreted at time of eating to small intestine where they aid in digestion and absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins.
• Bile acids are reabsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the circulation.  They are transported to the liver to be re-secreted in the bile.
• In rabbits, caecotrophy significantly reduced the ability to obtain a fasted blood sample and because of this bile acid measurement is not a routine procedure in clinical practice.
• To date, as far as the author is aware, bile acids are not included in published references ranges for rabbits.
• In other species bile acids are a sensitive indicator of liver function and of integrity of liver, biliary and intestinal circulation.

Sampling

Tests

Methodologies

• Enyzmatic (spectrophotometer).
• Radio-immunoassay (RIA) - uncommon in veterinary laboratories.

Availability

• Widely available at commercial laboratories.

Validity

Sensitivity

• Increased by performing bile acid stimulation test in other species; this is not performed in the rabbit.

Specificity

• In other species, performing a liver biopsy may give more indication of the underlying cause.

Technique (intrinsic) limitations

• Interpret results in conjunction with other laboratory results (liver enzymes) and/or liver biopsy.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent reference from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Proenca L M (2015) Blood Sampling and Intravenous Access in Exotic Species. In: Proc 2nd International Conference on Avian, Herpetological and Exotic Mammal Medicine. Paris, France. pp 122-126
• Varga M (2014) Clinical Pathology. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier, UK. pp 111-136.
• Wesche P (2014)C linical Pathology. In: BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine. Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, UK.  pp 124-137.
• Eshar D  Mayer J (2013) Bile Acids. In: Clinical Veterinary Advisor Birds and Exotic Pets. Eds: Mayer J & Donnelly T M. Elsevier, USA. pp 606-607.
• Suckow M A, Stevens K A & Wilson R P (2012) The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster and Other Rodents. 1st edn. Elsevier, UK.