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Hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals for wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 14:52 authored by Peck, S, Stephen CorkreyStephen Corkrey, Rodrigo Hamede RossRodrigo Hamede Ross, Menna JonesMenna Jones, Canfield, P

Background: The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial threatened with extinction by a fatally infectious cancer known as devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Conservation efforts including captive breeding and island translocations are underway to address this threat.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals (RI) to aid in health assessment of Tasmanian devils, and to examine seasonal, sex, reproductive status and age variations.

Methods: We collected jugular blood samples from individual wild Tasmanian devils at 2 different locations over a 2-year period to determine hematologic and serum biochemical RI by nonparametric methods using the central 0.95 fraction.

Results: A total of 307 blood samples were collected from 187 devils. Significant age differences were found for ALP, CK, cholesterol, calcium, phosphate, albumin, globulins, albumin: globulin ratio, and glucose. Significant differences between sexes were observed for AST, creatinine, and potassium. Significant seasonal or reproductive status variation in adult males or breeding females were observed for PCV, HGB, RBC, MCHC, MCH, MCV, neutrophils and lymphocytes, fibrinogen, total plasma protein, AST, ALP, ALT, GLDH, bilirubin, urea, calcium, chloride, total protein, albumin, A:G, and glucose.

Conclusions: Many of the differences observed between subgroups can be explained by growth requirements, reproductive demands, and seasonal effects on activity. This study has determined comprehensive RI for the Tasmanian devil, which will be used to assess animals targeted for captive breeding and translocations, or affected by DFTD.

History

Publication title

Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Volume

44

Issue

4

Pagination

519-529

ISSN

0275-6382

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Amer Soc Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Place of publication

Louisiana State Univ, School Veterinary Med, Dept Veterinary Pathology, Baton Rouge, USA, La, 70803

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity

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