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Appendices
Chemistry Descriptions
Serving veterinarians throughout the world, IDEXX Laboratories understands that medical content,
including interpretation of diagnostic results and medical protocols may vary from country to country.
A medical review board has approved the content presented in this document.
IDEXX has more than 40 reference laboratories worldwide employing over 100 veterinarians. If you
have any questions about the medical content or interpretation of results in this document, please
contact IDEXX Laboratories.
Introduction to Biochemical Profiling
By performing appropriate biochemical tests on quality samples, you can obtain information that,
when combined with patient history and clinical findings, should assist you in making an accurate
diagnosis. Appropriate biochemical tests are also essential for monitoring and prognostication
purposes once a diagnosis is achieved.
Single tests are helpful in particular circumstances, such as following the course of an identified
disease or for monitoring the effect of therapy. However, many individual chemistry tests give
information about different organ systems and should be used in combination with other tests
(panels or profiles) to help characterize disease.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
For practical purposes, the enzyme alanine aminotransferase is specific to the liver in dogs and
cats. It is found in the hepatocyte cytoplasm and may be released into the blood during both
reversible and irreversible (cell necrosis) changes.
Principal Reason for Performing the Test
To investigate hepatocellular injury in dogs and cats.
Note: This test is not useful in the detection of liver disease in ruminants, horses, and pigs as the
enzyme activity in the liver is very low. Even with severe liver disease in these species, the increase
in activity is minimal.
Most Common Abnormality Indicated by the Test
Hepatocellular injury.
Sample Type and Precautions
Remove plasma or serum promptly from the cells or clot. Hemolyzed specimens should not be
used because ALT contamination from red blood cells will occur. If plasma is being collected, use
only lithium heparinized samples.
Complementary Tests
Alanine aminotransferase activity is usually determined in conjunction with other tests of hepatic
function or damage.
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