Biochemical and hematologic values for 18 clinically healthy radiated tortoises (Geochelone radiata) on St Catherines Island, Georgia

BACKGROUND: The radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) is a critically endangered species in its native land, the southern portion of the island of Madagascar. Captive breeding programs have generated data on the breeding behavior and ecology of G radiata; however, hematologic and biochemical data also are critically important in managing populations. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate sex and seasonal effects on hematologic and biochemical data from captive radiated tortoises. METHODS: Whole blood was collected in January and August 2001 from 18 radiated tortoises (10 male, 8 female) housed at the Wildlife Survival Center on St Catherines Island, Georgia, as part of a routine health assessment. Routine hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses and electrophoresis were done using standard methods. Data from male and female tortoises were compared within and between seasons using 2-way ANOVA. RESULTS: RBC and HCT values were significantly higher in summer than in winter and were higher in males than in females. Total protein concentration did not differ significantly between males and females; however, female tortoises had significantly higher concentrations of alpha1- and beta-globulins in winter and summer compared to males. Male tortoises had significantly higher sodium and uric acid concentrations and LDH activity during winter, and higher urea concentration and LDH and CK activities in summer, compared with females. Female tortoises had significantly higher triglyceride and phosphorus concentrations in winter, and higher phosphorus, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations in summer, compared with males. CONCLUSION: Sex and seasonal differences in hematologic and biochemical values for radiated tortoises likely reflect vitellogenesis and egg production in females, and altered hydration status and activity in summer. Data from the tortoises in this study will be useful for the seasonal health assessment of this species.     

笼养羚牛繁殖生物学的初步研究

对上海动物园笼养羚牛种群20 a间的繁殖记录进行了统计分析,并将笼养羚牛和野生羚牛的各项繁殖指标进行了比较分析。结果表明：笼养条件下出生的雌性和雄性羚牛个体的首次成功繁殖年龄分别为4岁和5岁;笼养条件下出生的羚牛包括26只雌性和11只雄性,雌雄性比为2.36：1;羚牛的出生主要集中在1～4月,3月出生的个体最多;笼养羚牛首次繁殖年龄和幼仔出生季节与野生羚牛不存在显著差异。上述研究结果表明,影响羚牛繁殖的因素主要包括气候、环境、温度和湿度等。     

圈养条件下岩羊的饲养

岩羊具有较强的耐寒性和适应恶劣环境的本领,不怕寒冷,不畏风雪,耐干旱,多在海拔4 000～6 000 m雪线以上的不毛之地生活,喜群居。学者对岩羊的野外行为研究较多,但对岩羊圈养的研究文章不多。2009～2012年,在长春动植物公园岩羊馆内对6只成年岩羊进行观察,在非原产地的平原地区通过圈养的方式对岩羊的饲养、食物组成、防疫、繁殖进行分析总结,为以后岩羊在非原产地的饲养提供了理论基础和实践经验。     

Blood lipid concentrations and lipoprotein patterns in captive and wild American black bears (Ursus americanus)

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood lipid concentrations and lipoprotein patterns for captive and wild American black bears (Ursus americanus). ANIMALS: 7 captive and 9 wild adult (> or = 4 years old) black bears. PROCEDURE: Blood was collected from 2 groups of captive black bears (groups A and B) and 1 group of wild black bears (group C). Blood triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol concentrations were compared among groups. Plasma lipoproteins were isolated by use of a self-generating gradient of iodixanol, and lipoprotein patterns were compared between groups A and B. RESULTS: Captive bears (mean +/- SD, 187.8 +/- 44.4 kg) weighed significantly more than wild bears (mean, 104.8 +/- 41.4 kg), but mean body weight did not differ between groups A and B. Mean blood TG concentrations for groups B (216.8 +/- 16.0 mg/dL) and C (190.7 +/- 34.0 mg/dL) were significantly higher than that of group A (103.9 +/- 25.3 mg/dL). Mean blood cholesterol concentration was also significantly higher for group B (227.8 +/- 8.2 mg/dL) than for groups A (171.7 +/- 35.5 mg/dL) or C (190.8 +/- 26.8 mg/dL). Mean very-low-density lipoprotein TG and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were 2- and 3-fold higher, respectively, for group B, compared with concentrations for group A. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Blood lipid concentrations vary significantly among populations of black bears. Plasma lipoprotein patterns of captive bears differed significantly between colonies and may have reflected differences in diet or management practices.     

Influence of season on the hematological and serum biochemical values of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) housed in a controlled environment in northern Italy

Season appears to influence the physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). From 2000 to 2005, blood parameters of three captive bottlenose dolphins housed in northern Italy were examined to determine if seasonal variation was present. Seasonal variation was observed in the male dolphins, with both males exhibiting aminotransferase levels that were higher in autumn and lower in winter. Mean serum creatinine levels were higher during summer and lower during autumn in the adult male, and mean lactate dehydrogenase higher during summer and lower during spring in the juvenile male. Both males exhibited red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels that were higher during autumn and lower during summer. This study contributes to the knowledge of baseline hematologic and biochemical values based on seasonality in bottlenose dolphins.     

不同光质对黄秋葵幼苗生长、光合色素和气孔特征的影响

以黄秋葵品种‘五福’为试材,采用单因素随机区组设计,探讨不同光质对黄秋葵幼苗生长、光合色素和气孔特征的影响。试验结果表明:与荧光灯(CK)处理相比,蓝光(B)、紫光(P)、红光(R)和蓝红复合光(BR)处理下的黄秋葵幼苗的鲜质量、干质量及其叶片的光合色素含量等指标均有不同程度的增加,且以BR处理为最高;在黄秋葵幼苗叶片气孔特征方面,其上表皮的气孔密度以BR和R处理下最大,而下表皮的气孔密度仅BR处理下最大;上、下表皮的气孔长轴长度,以BR处理下最大,B处理次之;上表皮的气孔短轴长度及气孔弧长均在BR处理下最大,而下表皮的气孔短轴长度、气孔弧长以B处理下最大,BR处理次之。可见,BR处理能显著促进黄秋葵幼苗的生长,幼苗生长快速健壮,并提高了叶片光合色素的含量,气孔发育相对较好,因此可采用BR作为黄秋葵育苗的人工光源。     

圈养小熊猫繁殖初探

建立小熊猫人工种群开展繁殖研究是减轻野生种群压力,有效保护小熊猫的措施之一。为探索提高人工条件下小熊猫繁殖水平,2011年以来成都大熊猫繁育研究基地对圈养小熊猫的环境条件等进行了改进提高。通过对小熊猫的饲养、繁育环境条件的改善,小熊猫的繁育情况有了一定的提高,初步结果显示,改进后,小熊猫的发情率、受胎率没有显著变化,但其繁殖成活率从改进前的55. 5%极显著地提高到改进后的76. 26%(P <0. 01)。     

Comparison of various reproductive status in Sika deer (Cervus nippon) using fecal steroid analysis

The feasibility of fecal steroid analysis for pregnancy diagnosis and sex determination were tested in sika deer (Cervus nippon). Feces were collected from captive sika deer in June (non-breeding season and late-pregnancy period) and October (breeding season), and also from the rectum of 24 female sika deer (19 pregnant and 5 non-pregnant females) shot as part of programs for population control in February and March (mid-pregnancy period). In mid- and late-pregnancy periods, fecal progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant female than in male and non-pregnant female deer. In October, fecal testosterone concentrations were higher in adult male deer, and no difference was found between young males and females. These results suggest that fecal steroid analysis would be a useful means for estimating pregnancy status and for detecting adult male among wild deer.     

Hematologic, plasma protein, and biochemical profiles of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis)

OBJECTIVE: To establish hematologic and biochemical reference values for the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). ANIMALS: 31 captive, healthy, but permanently disabled pelicans and 35 wild-caught, healthy pelicans from a rehabilitation facility on the east coast of Florida. PROCEDURES: Samples of venous blood were collected from each pelican, and hematologic, plasma biochemical, and electrophoretic protein analyses were performed. Student t-tests were used to compare blood values between captive versus wild-caught, adult male versus adult female, and adult versus juvenile pelicans. RESULTS: Hematologic and electrophoretic values were similar between male and female, adult and juvenile, and captive and wild-caught pelicans. Significant sex differences existed for plasma calcium and triglyceride concentrations. Plasma concentrations of calcium, cholesterol, and CO2 content differed between captive and wild-caught adults. No significant differences were found between wild-caught adult and juvenile pelicans. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our plasma biochemical results are similar to those of other brown pelicans and confamilial species. Additional studies on seabirds are encouraged, as age, sex, reproductive status, feeding habits, and captivity are important variables for health assessment in this and other aquatic species.     

Haematological and serum biochemical values of southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica)

Blood samples were taken from 75 free-ranging southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) captured in drive-nets in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain, and 20 haematological and 24 serum biochemical variables were analysed. The values were similar to those of other species of the Caprinae subfamily, except for cortisol, the concentration of which was higher. The red blood cell count (RBC), platelets and leucocytes, and the concentrations of cortisol, lactate, muscular enzymes and gamma-globulins were higher in summer than in spring, whereas the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and the concentrations of cholesterol, total bilirubin and creatinine were lower. Adult males had higher RBCs and haemoglobin values than females in summer, and lower leucocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts than females and yearling males. The concentrations of triglycerides, total bilirubin, lactate, creatinine, urea, chloride and alpha2-globulins were higher in adult males than yearling males. In summer the adult females had higher values for platelets, lymphocytes, cortisol, sodium and muscular enzymes.     

Hematology and serum chemistry values of the European brown hare

Background: Hematology and serum biochemistry values can be useful for evaluating the health of populations of captive and free-living European brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ). However, current information is fragmented and incomplete.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine normal hematology and serum chemistry values for a population of captive European brown hares and to investigate differences related to sex and age.
Methods: Routine hematology and serum chemistry values were determined for 48 captive European brown hares in Catalonia (northeastern Spain): 21 young (6 males and 15 females) and 27 adult (14 males and 13 females) hares. Blood was obtained by auricular venipuncture while animals were physically restrained. Results were expressed as the mean ± SD, and reference intervals were calculated as the mean ± 2SD.
Results: RBC count, PCV, concentrations of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, gamma globulin, urea nitrogen, and creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly higher in adults than in young hares, and alkaline phosphatase activity and total bilirubin concentration were lower. Sex differences were not observed.
Conclusions: Hematology and serum chemistry results obtained in this study are considered representative for healthy captive European brown hares. A single reference interval can be used for values from male and female hares, however, age-specific intervals are needed for some analytes.     

The host status of African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, for Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus

The objective of this study was to assess the host status of African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, for the one-host tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. To this end the R. (B.) decoloratus burdens of ten buffaloes examined in three north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN) nature reserves were compared with those of medium-sized to large antelope species in these reserves and in the southern Kruger National Park (KNP), Mpumalanga Province. The R. (B.) decoloratus burdens of the buffaloes were considerably smaller than those of the antelopes in the KNP, but not those in the KZN reserves. The life-stage structure of the R. (B.) decoloratus populations on the buffaloes, in which larvae predominated, was closer to that of this tick on blue wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus, a tick-resistant animal, than to that on other antelopes. A single buffalo examined in the KNP was not infested with R. (B.) decoloratus, whereas a giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, examined at the same locality and time, harboured a small number of ticks. In a nature reserve in Mpumalanga Province adjacent to the KNP, two immobilized buffaloes, from which only adult ticks were collected, were not infested with R. (B.) decoloratus, whereas greater kudus, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, examined during the same time of year in the KNP harboured large numbers of adult ticks of this species. African buffaloes would thus appear to be resistant to infestation with R. (B.) decoloratus, and this resistance is expressed as the prevention of the majority of tick larvae from developing to nymphs.     

圈养小熊猫对栖息地点的选择及其行为观察

为了解圈养条件下小熊猫对人工环境的选择和行为习性,为笼舍的设计和改进提供理论依据,在春夏两季对圈养的10只小熊猫进行了行为观察。结果表明,与野生小熊猫白天主要以活动行为为主不同,圈养小熊猫白天以睡和卧等安静行为为主（68.32%）,对行为发生的地点具有明显的选择性（P〈0.001）,而且几乎不受气温和天气的影响（P〉0.05）。自然生长的树为圈养小熊猫的首选地点（53.6%）。小熊猫在地面主要以活动行为为主（83.06%）,对笼箱的结构和材料没有明显的选择性（P〉0.05）。因此,圈养小熊猫笼舍内最好能种植树木,而笼箱的结构和材料则依景观的需要进行设置。     

灰鹦鹉的饲养及繁育初探

本文以成都动物园饲养的1对灰鹦鹉及其于2003～2009年间产下的19枚卵和孵化出的17只幼年鹦鹉为研究对象,探讨了成年灰鹦鹉在圈养条件下的饲养和繁殖过程,包括巢箱的设计制作、人工孵育流程、人工育雏饲料配方等,并以收集自然育雏条件下雏鸟增重的数据为依据,对人工育雏幼年鹦鹉的饲喂量和饲喂方式进行了探讨。结果表明:给配对的灰鹦鹉提供种类丰富、营养均衡的食物是繁殖的关键;繁殖巢箱是自然孵育的关键;人工孵育是提高灰鹦鹉繁殖率的重要手段;灰鹦鹉的孵化期为28～30 d。     

Hematology and blood biochemistry of captive mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris).

Comprehensive hematologic and biochemical analyses were conducted on blood from 23 male and 31 female clinically stable captive mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris). Erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV), potassium, cholesterol, and calcium concentrations were significantly greater in juvenile males than in juvenile females, but no significant differences were determined between parameters of subadult males and subadult females. The mean WBC count and mean heterophil count were significantly higher in adult males than in adult females. Mean uric acid concentration was significantly greater in adult females than in males. Mean erythrocyte count was significantly higher in adults than in juveniles. Adult mean WBC and lymphocyte counts were significantly lower than those of both juveniles and subadults. Subadults had significantly lower mean eosinophil counts than both adults and juveniles. Subadults had significantly lower mean alkaline phosphatase activities than juveniles, whereas the adults had significantly lower aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities than other groups. Lactate dehydrogenase activities were significantly lower for subadults than for juveniles and adults. Cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher for subadults and juveniles compared with adults. Triglyceride concentration was significantly lower for subadults and highest for juveniles. Glucose concentrations were significantly higher for adults. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly lower for subadults than for both adults and juveniles. Uric acid concentrations were significantly higher for juveniles than for the subadults and adults. The subadult animals also had a significantly lower potassium concentration. The results obtained were then compared with known values for other crocodilian species.     

Invasion and defense of the basic social unit in a nonhuman primate society leads to sexual differences in the gut microbiome

Multilevel society is one of the most complex social systems in natural ecosystems and is a typical feature among some primates. Given the potential connection between social behavior and gut microbiome composition, the multilevel social system could affect the primate gut microbiome. Here, based on long-term observation (e.g. social unit dynamics, transfer, and behavior), we investigated this potential integrating 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and behavior data in Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti), which possess a multilevel social group based on one male units (OMUs, each unit with several breeding females and their offspring) and all-male unit (AMU, several bachelor males residing together). We found that the mean unweighted Unifrac distance between adult males from different OMUs was significantly lower than that between adult females from different OMUs (paired Wilcoxon test, P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the mean unweighted Unifrac distance between females within the same OMU or between females from different OMUs. These findings indicated the potential connection between the defense and invasion of social units and the gut microbiome community in wild Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. We speculated that the resident males of OMUs displaying a significantly higher similarity in the gut microbial community than that of adult females in separate OMUs might be associated with the sexual differences in their interactions and from previously having cohabitated together in the AMU. Therefore, this study suggested that multilevel societies might have an effect on the gut microbial community in this wild nonhuman primate species.     

笼养白腹锦鸡血液生理生化指标的检测

为给白腹锦鸡的人工饲养繁育、健康状况检测等提供科学参考数据和理论依据,本实验选择20只健康成年白腹锦鸡,体重为0. 597～0. 890 kg,于晨时饲喂前经翼静脉采集全血,采用自动干式生化分析仪和兽用全自动血液细胞分析仪测定18项血液生理生化指标。结果表明:白腹锦鸡的红细胞个体数目雌雄间无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);血小板数目雌雄间无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);葡萄糖雌雄无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);尿素氮雌雄无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶雌雄无显著性差异(P> 0. 05),但大大低于野生白腹锦鸡;以上说明所测白腹锦鸡生理生化指标雌雄之间差异不显著(P> 0. 05),白腹锦鸡血液生理生化指标具有相对稳定性,这一结果能为白腹锦鸡人工繁育、健康状况、饲养管理和疾病防治提供科学依据。     

Hematocrit and plasma chemistry values in adult collared scops owls (Otus lettia) and crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela hoya)

In this study, we report hematocrit and plasma chemistry values for adult captive collared scops owls (Otus lettia) and crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela hoya). In particular, we address the gender-specific differences within these values. We measured hematocrit (HCT) and plasma chemistry values for uric acid (UA), plasma urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), creatine (CRE), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), amylase (AMY), calcium (CA), ionic phosphorous (IP) and sodium (NA), potassium (K) and chloride ions (CL) in 37 adult captive collared scops owls and 39 adult captive crested serpent eagles. Significant differences between the sexes were found for UA, GLU and CPK in the collared scope owls. UA and GLU concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.01 and P<0.05) among males than females, while the CPK concentration was significantly lower (P<0.05) in males. There were no significant differences in of all of the measured parameters between male and female eagles. These finding suggested that HCT and plasma chemistry values of raptors vary individually according to species and sex. Our results provide the 1st available reference data for ranges of plasma values in adult captive collared scops owls and crested serpent eagles, making them a potentially useful complementary diagnostic tool for veterinary care of individuals for both species in captivity.     

Gonadal Activity in Male and Female Captive Fossas (Cryptoprocta ferox) During the Mating Season

The fossa is an endangered, mongoose-like carnivore species endemic to Madagascar with a breeding season (BS) in the southern hemisphere spring. For the present study, faecal samples of captive fossas were collected for over 1 year for five males and four non-pregnant females, and for two pregnant animals during the reproductive period. The goal was to assess gonadal activity using non-invasive hormone measurements of faecal testosterone (T) and gestagen metabolites using assays previously established in our laboratory and further validated in this study. All study animals were housed in northern hemisphere zoos. In males, the seasonal T metabolite profile revealed a peak in spring (March). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to characterize the faecal hormone metabolite composition. The highest immunoreactivity was detected in the position of dihydrotestosterone, whereas native T was not detected. In the two pregnant females, gestagen metabolite concentrations increased 4–9 days after the initial matings and remained elevated throughout gestation with concentrations dramatically higher than those of the non-pregnant females during the BS. In these females, gestagen metabolite analyses did not reveal a seasonal pattern similar to the males. The HPLC-analysis revealed that the major proportion of immunoreactivity was associated with an unknown metabolite, whereas native progesterone was undetectable. The seasonal hormone pattern of male fossas gives proof of the reproductive seasonality of this species.
The elevated 5α-pregnan-3β-ol-20-one levels in pregnant animals allows for the characterization of pregnancy in the fossa based on analysis of faecal steroid metabolite concentrations.     

Measurement of serum immunoglobulin concentration in killer whales and sea otters by radial immunodiffusion

Killer whales and sea otters maintained in captivity are the subjects of routine health monitoring programs, and interest in immunologic studies in sea otters has been rising recently in response to potential impacts from infectious disease and environmental pollution on the threatened southern sea otter population. Development of species-specific reagents for immunologic studies in these two marine mammals is currently in its infancy. In this study, killer whale and sea otter immunoglobulin-specific polyclonal antibodies were generated, and used to develop tests for serum Ig concentration in the killer whale (Orcinus orca) and the southern (Enhydra lutris nereis) and northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris lutris). Killer whale serum IgG was purified using caprylic acid/ammonium sulfate precipitation. Sea otter plasma IgG was purified using protein-A-agarose. Polyclonal anti-Ig antisera were produced in rabbits, and specificity confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis. Radial immunodiffusion was used to measure Ig concentration in serum or plasma samples derived from 21 captive killer whales, 18 wild and 4 captive southern sea otters and 15 wild and 4 captive northern sea otters grouped by age. Mean killer whale serum Ig concentration (+/-95% confidence interval) ranged from 15.04 +/- 3.97 g/l for animals aged 0-5 years to 26.65 +/- 9.8 g/l for animals aged >10 years. Mean sea otter serum Ig concentration (+/-95% confidence interval) ranged from 28.39 +/- 11.00 g/l for southern sub-adults to 32.76 +/- 11.58 g/l for southern adults. No significant difference in serum Ig concentration was found between southern and northern sea otters. Serum Ig concentrations in two northern sea otter pups were low compared to those of adult sea otters. The two serum Ig quantitation assays produced were highly specific and reproducible and will be useful additions to the limited number of tests available for immune function in these marine mammal species.