Reference values for biochemical analytes in feral sheep from Socorro Island, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico

Abstract

To establish reference values for biochemical analytes related to freshwater shortage adaptation, a total of 376 blood samples were collected from feral sheep at Socorro Island, Revillagigedo Archipelago. Year-round variation was assessed by sampling at the beginning of each season defined by the March equinox, June solstice, September equinox, and December solstice. The resulting data set was analyzed using Gaussian distribution and descriptive statistics. Confidence intervals of 95% were established. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of each season. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, albumin, total protein, sodium ion, anion gap, creatine kinase, arginine vasopressin, and aldosterone showed concentrations above the reference range for domestic sheep. Triglycerides, urea, albumin, sodium ion, and aldosterone showed concentrations within the reference range for domestic goats. Most biochemical analytes showed differences (P<0.05) between seasons, with the highest values occurring during winter, and the lowest during spring. Results could help improve the accuracy of metabolic profiles used as a tool for evaluating dehydration indicators, and to describe the physiological mechanisms employed by feral sheep to cope with seasonal availability of freshwater.

Una Nota Sobre La Mortalidad De Corderos Merino Isla Socorro

“…En la actualidad, la población de esta especie se reduce a menos de un centenar de individuos, descendientes de un hato de 50 animales extraído de la isla por investigadores de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad de Colima en años previos a su erradicación, por lo que se encuentra en inminente riesgo de extinción. Diversos estudios han permitido conocer aspectos relevantes sobre su morfología (Perezgrovas et al, 2011;Hernández et al, 2017), su fisiología (Arias et al, 2020;Prado et al, 2021) y su crecimiento (Macedo et al, 2018). Sin embargo, no se han realizado estudios sobre las causas y factores que afectan su mortalidad que coadyuven a incrementar su número, lo cual se vuelve imprescindible considerando su estatus de riesgo.…”

Characterization of Growth of Socorro Island Merino Lambs

“…Recent studies have analyzed the morphology (Hernandez et al, 2017) and physiology of Socorro Island Merino sheep (Arias et al, 2020;Prado et al, 2021). However, the growth characteristics and factors that affect this breed have not yet been determined.…”