These highly powered, sedation-contextualized RI provide a definitive, species-specific diagnostic framework that will significantly enhance veterinary care, colony management, and the interpretation of translational research utilizing A. nancymaae.
Abstract
Comprehensive hematological and biochemical reference intervals (RIs) are valuable for accurate clinical evaluation and translational reliability in non-human primate models, yet robust data for Nancy Ma’s night monkey (
Aotus nancymaae
) remain scarce. This study aimed to establish empirical baseline physiological profiles for healthy, captive
A. nancymaae
. We retrospectively analyzed 1170 blood samples collected over a 15-year period (2007–2022) under standard chemical restraint (ketamine/acepromazine). Non-parametric methods were used to calculate 95% RIs (2.5th–97.5th percentiles) and evaluate the effects of age and sex. Fold-change analysis revealed that age profoundly drives physiological variance, highlighted by massive > 2-fold elevations in alkaline phosphatase and significantly lower adaptive immune cell counts (lymphocytes and monocytes) in juveniles compared to adults. Sexual dimorphism was subtle, primarily reflected in slightly higher erythrocytic mass (RBC, Hb, HCT) in males. Systemic electrolytes and protein markers remained robustly stable across all demographic and dietary cohorts. These highly powered, sedation-contextualized RI provide a definitive, species-specific diagnostic framework that will significantly enhance veterinary care, colony management, and the interpretation of translational research utilizing
A. nancymaae
.
The establishment of reliable physiological baselines is essential for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of rescued wildlife, but reference intervals (RIs) are limited for many species encountered in rehabilitation settings. The Northern boobook (Ninox japonica) is one of the most frequently rescued owl species at wildlife rescue centers in the Republic of Korea, yet veterinary research on this species is scarce. This study aimed to establish the hematologic and plasma biochemical RIs for rehabilitated Northern boobooks and assess the agreement between field estimation methods and standard analytical techniques for selected variables. These variables included hemoglobin (Hgb) derived from packed cell volume, total protein (TP) measured by refractometry, and total white blood cell (TWBC) counts obtained from blood films. The blood profiles for RI calculation were collected from 41 clinically normal, rehabilitated individuals, and no statistically significant differences were found between the sexes for any parameter. Method comparison analyses for Hgb, TP, and TWBC found significant differences between the estimation techniques and their respective reference methods. The Bland–Altman plots found systematic biases for all methods, because the 95% confidence interval for mean biases excluded zero, indicating poor concordance. Passing–Bablok regression further confirmed systematic deviations, identifying a mix of constant and proportional biases that varied among the analytes. These findings underscore the need for caution when interpreting the estimated values in clinical settings. In addition, because rehabilitated individuals may appear clinically stable while harboring subclinical pathologies, the results of this study should be considered within the context of rehabilitation.
Jang-Hee Han, Jinyoung Kim, Soeun Ryu et al.· Journal of zoo and wildlife...· 0 citations
Reference intervals (RIs) are essential for interpreting laboratory results. We established hematological and serum biochemical RIs for apparently healthy Mongolian Bactrian camels and evaluated age/physiological class and seasonal effects. Samples were collected from yearlings, subadults, adult castrated males, and lactating adult females in spring and autumn. Following CLSI EP28-A3c and ASVCP guidelines, 95% RIs were estimated by parametric, nonparametric, or robust methods according to sample size and distribution. Age/physiological class influenced multiple analytes, while season explained greater variation in several erythroid indices, total protein, and glucose. Season-specific RIs are therefore provided for analytes with substantial seasonal effects. These locally derived RIs support clinical interpretation and herd health monitoring under Mongolian pastoral conditions.
Tsognemekh Bolormaa, B. Sandagdorj, Sedkhuu Burenjargal et al.· Journal of Veterinary Medica...· 0 citations
The Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) is an endangered felid endemic to Tsushima Island, for which conservation breeding programs have been established. However, the lack of species-specific clinicopathological reference intervals (RIs) limits accurate clinical assessment, which is essential for effective conservation and management. This study aimed to establish hematologic and biochemical RIs for captive Tsushima leopard cats and evaluate the effects of origin, sex, age class, and anesthetic exposure on these parameters. RIs and 90% confidence intervals were estimated using a nonparametric bootstrap percentile method for captive, non-anesthetized animals (48 animals; 204 samples). Evaluation of domestic cat RI transferability revealed that domestic cat RIs did not apply to 61.8% of analytes, indicating that these intervals should not be used for this subspecies. Analysis of indices of individuality confirmed the clinical utility of population-based RIs for many analytes. Comparisons between captive and free-ranging animals revealed significant differences in erythrocyte-related parameters and in alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), phosphorus, and total cholesterol, which may reflect differences in nutritional status, parasite exposure, and diet. Additionally, higher WBC, glucose (GLU), and creatine kinase were observed in free-ranging animals, consistent with capture-related stress responses. No significant sex-related differences were detected. Age-related differences were observed in a subset of variables, including lower erythrocyte-related parameters and higher BUN and creatinine concentrations in senior animals. Anesthetic exposure significantly affected several variables: isoflurane anesthesia was associated with reductions in erythrocyte-related parameters, whereas medetomidine–ketamine anesthesia was associated with increased GLU concentrations. This study provides the first statistically derived, subspecies-specific clinicopathological RIs for the Tsushima leopard cat and, to our knowledge, also represents the first formal set of RIs for leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis). These results provide a basis for improved clinical interpretation, longitudinal health monitoring, and conservation management of this endangered species.
Akinori Azumano, Yushi Koshida· Journal of zoo and wildlife...· 0 citations
Baseline hematological and oxidative stress data for wild rodents are scarce despite their importance in wildlife health assessment and disease surveillance. This study aimed to generate baseline hematological and markers of oxidative stress reference values for wild Mus musculus and Rattus rattus trapped from southern Punjab, Pakistan, and to evaluate sex-related differences in these physiological parameters. Twenty-seven Mus musculus (14 males, 13 females) and 28 Rattus rattus (18 males, 10 females) were trapped from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Punjab, Pakistan between February 2022 and January 2023. Complete blood count was determined using an automated hematology analyzer, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels were measured in the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Sex-wise comparisons were performed using two-sample t-tests (p < 0.05). Body weight did not differ significantly between sexes in either species (p > 0.05). No significant sex-related differences were observed in the hematological parameters of Mus musculus. In Rattus rattus, males had significantly higher red blood cell counts (p = 0.008) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p = 0.05), whereas females had higher white blood cell counts (p = 0.02). Male Mus musculus exhibited significantly higher renal malondialdehyde levels (p = 0.002), while male Rattus rattus showed higher cardiac malondialdehyde levels (p = 0.006) and females exhibited higher hepatic superoxide dismutase activity (p = 0.04). These findings provide baseline physiological reference values for wild rodents and will support future ecological and disease surveillance studies. Larger studies are required to establish robust species- and sex-specific reference intervals.
M. Abrar, Sonia Mumtaz, Maryam Ijaz et al.· Journal of Experimental Zool...· 0 citations
The aim of this study was to establish haematological and plasma biochemistry reference intervals for free-ranging adult and pre-fledged juvenile Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus). These values represent the first species-specific assessments conducted to establish baseline blood values in a wild population of this species. Blood samples were collected from 58 adult pelicans and 53 pre-fledged juveniles between 2018 and 2024 across key sites in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, a significant Ramsar wetland for breeding pelicans. Complete blood counts and plasma biochemistry analyses were conducted to characterize reference intervals. White blood cell counts showed heterophils as the most abundant cell type in all age classes. Results revealed significant age-related differences in haematocrit values and plasma chemistry, including urea, total protein and calcium. By interpreting these data within a physiological as well as pathological framework, the study enhances understanding of normal species function and variation across life stages. This study fills a critical gap in understanding pelican physiology and provides essential reference data for wildlife veterinarians, rehabilitators and conservation biologists in the assessment and management of pelican health, facilitating more effective interventions and providing a tool for monitoring broader ecosystem health.
D. Sullivan, J. Porter, J. Ward et al.· Conservation Physiology· 0 citations
Nonhuman primates are widely used in preclinical biomedical research, with hematobiochemical values serving as key clinical pathology parameters for assessing health status. In this study, we collected and analyzed 2973 blood samples from 566 cynomolgus macaques and 193 rhesus macaques, along with anthropometric measurements such as BMI, body weight, and waist circumference. Corresponding human data were obtained from the NHANES database and incorporated into the study. Regarding white blood cell composition, neutrophil percentages increased while lymphocyte percentages declined with age, with relatively sharp changes observed during both the early stage near sexual maturity and the late stage near aging onset in our macaque and human datasets. The inflammatory indices, calculated based on these compositions, showed similar age-related trends, reflecting age-associated immune modulation in primates. The inflection points approximately correspond to the ages of sexual maturation and aging onset. The statistical analyses predicted a divergence: human aging is primarily defined by metabolic syndrome caused by excess waste accumulation, whereas aging in cynomolgus macaques is fundamentally linked to nutrient deficiency and physical frailty. Despite this contrast, our findings also revealed convergent aging markers across primates. In summary, this study establishes reference indices for hematological and biochemical parameters in macaques, providing valuable insights into age-related changes in primate blood profiles.
Hyeon-Mu Cho, S. Choe, Hye-Ri Park et al.· GeroScience· 0 citations
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