| Material | serum or EDTA plasma or heparin plasma 0.5 ml |
| Method | photometry |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Remark | Bilirubin is formed in the liver as part of the decomposition of haemoglobin and other cytochromes. It is glucuronidated intrahepatocellular and eliminated through the intestines. Except in horses, visible icterus correlates with concentrations starting with 17 μmol/l.
- Prehepatic icterus: excessive hemoglobin concentration due to erythrocyte destruction causes increased concentration of primary bilirubin.
- Intrahepatic icterus: damage of liver cells causes increase in both direct and indirect bilirubin.
- Posthepatic icterus (unusual): Increase in direct bilirubin caused by retention of bile
- Cattle: Total bilirubin strongly correlates inversely with blood glucose levels and hence is a sensitive indicator for imbalances in the composition of food rations. Strong increase occurs due to microhaemolysis as part of septicemia, e.g. in case of mastitis, endometritis or salmonellosis, and is prognostically poor.
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