Acute phase protein quantitation in serum samples from healthy Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Abstract

Acute phase proteins (APPs) have been studied in many companion and large animals and have been reported to have a differential sensitivity to traditional markers of inflammation. Studies have been performed indicating the conservation of these proteins as well as the application and cross-reactivity of automated assays among different species, but few reports have detailed APPs in marine mammal species. In the present study, automated assays were utilized to generate reference intervals for C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid A using 44 serum samples from healthy Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). A total of 25 samples were obtained from dolphins under human care and 19 samples were obtained from free-ranging dolphins. Mild yet statistically significant differences were observed in levels of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A between these groups. The reference intervals from the combined groups were as follows: C-reactive protein 3.1-19.7 mg/l, haptoglobin 0-0.37 mg/ml, and serum amyloid A 17.5-42.9 mg/l. These baseline data should provide an important foundation for future studies of the application of APP quantitation in monitoring the health and stressors of dolphins under human care and with live capture of free-ranging dolphins.

PLASMA ELECTROPHORETIC PROFILES AND HEMOGLOBIN BINDING PROTEIN REFERENCE INTERVALS IN THE EASTERN BOX TURTLE (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) AND INFLUENCES OF AGE, SEX, SEASON, AND LOCATION

“…10,26,28,33 Although these proteins are nonspecific markers, they have been shown to be valuable prognostic indicators and have utility in detecting subclinical disease, stress, and inflammatory processes. 10,11 APPs are clinically useful in a range of domesticated mammals; 3,23,28,33 however, knowledge is limited in nondomesticated species, including reptiles. 4,5,16,18,34,36 The eastern box turtle faces many challenges in a free-ranging setting, some of which include trauma, infectious disease, and environmental alterations such as urbanization decreasing natural habitat ranges.…”

Reference intervals for acute phase protein and serum protein electrophoresis values in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

“…9,18,19 The reference interval for CRP reported herein for Asian elephants (1.3-12.8 mg/l) is similar to CRP intervals reported in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 6,13 Further studies are needed to address the reactivity of the CRP reagents with elephant proteins and to consider the use of either elephant-specific reagents or non-antibody-based assays.…”

“…1,4,5,9,11,12,17,18,21,23 More recently, there have been descriptions of usage of APP in a wide range of nondomestic species. 2,[6][7][8]14,16,26 During the acute phase response, APPs are produced by the liver in response to cytokines released from leukocytes. The proteins are initially released into serum 24-96 hr following an acute inflammatory stimulus, where they function to promote healing, reestablish homeostasis, and inhibit microbial growth; the time course of expression varies with the specific APP and the resolution of the initial insult.…”

“…8,14 Acute phase proteins are impressively conserved among different species, and reagents made for human APPs have been demonstrated to be cross-reactive in many animal species. 1,2,[4][5][6][7][8][9]14,15,[17][18][19]26 Validation of these reagents has been based on standard methods in clinical pathology (coefficient of variation, linearity under dilution, and recovery analyses) and examination of samples from clinically abnormal animals with known inflammatory processes. 1,2,4,5,7,8,14,18,26 In captive nondomestic species, concurrent measurement of APPs and SPEP fractions are noninvasive assays that can supplement and extend the baseline information obtained from the complete blood cell count, fibrinogen, and standard serum chemistry panels.…”

Plasma Protein Electrophoresis and Acute Phase Proteins in Koi Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Following Exploratory Coeliotomy

“…The commercially available kit used to quantify SAA has demonstrated cross-reactivity and clinical usefulness in several species, including horses and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 15,26 Genes involved in the expression of SAA are highly conserved across taxa, and trout SAA proteins have been identified with high sequence homology to mammalian SAA. 27 Such similarities support the belief that these immunological assays may be applicable for fish species, but a lack of crossreactivity is a potential explanation for an apparent lack of response in these animals.…”