Baseline circulating immunoglobulin G levels in managed collection and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Ruíz, Carolina; Nollens, Hendrik H.; Venn‐Watson, Stephanie; Green, Linda G.; Wells, Randall S.; Walsh, Michael T.; Nolan, Elizabeth C.; McBain, James; Jacobson, Elliott R.

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2008.09.002

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In addition, samples were collected without cortisol‐induced artifacts as would be triggered by the capture of a free‐ranging cetacean. Therefore, it is expected that free‐ranging killer whale blood analyte levels would deviate from those reported here . However, the sample numbers needed to establish RIs cannot be obtained from free‐ranging killer whales.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Effect of age, sex, and season on the variation in blood analytes of a clinically normal ex situ population of killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Nollens

Robeck

Schmitt

et al. 2019

Veterinary Clinical Pathol

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BackgroundThe effects of sex, age, and season on blood analyte concentrations have not been investigated for the killer whale (Orcinus orca). Defining these changes provides background data for improving the care of managed populations and defines normal changes that could occur in wild counterparts.ObjectivesWe aimed to define hematologic and serum biochemical variation by age, sex, and season for an ex situ killer whale population.MethodsBlood samples collected from killer whales during normal wellness exams were retrospectively identified. Killer whales were categorized by age; calf (0‐2.9 years), juvenile (3‐10.9 years), early adult (11‐20.9 years), adult (21‐30.9 years), and aged (>30.9 years); sex; and season. Standard CBC and biochemistry were collated, and only samples without evidence of disease were used. A mixed effects maximum likelihood regression with animal identification (ID) as the random effects variable was used to compare groups with a significance set at P ≤ 0.01.ResultsAll analytes differed by age, while only four differed by sex. Red blood cell parameters and associated renal analytes increased with age, while liver‐associated analytes and glucose decreased. Season affected 59% of the blood analytes.ConclusionsAged killer whales showed strong evidence of altered physiology as compared with younger animals. Anemia did not develop with age as was observed in one bottlenose dolphin population. Observed decreases in renal function could be caused by chronic disease or dehydration. Decreases in immune function parameters suggest immune senescence. These results provide background data for evaluating the health of managed and free‐ranging killer whales.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Effect of age, sex, and season on the variation in blood analytes of a clinically normal ex situ population of killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Nollens

Robeck

Schmitt

et al. 2019

Veterinary Clinical Pathol

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“…[32][33][34] Unlike humans, however, dolphins can mask overt evidence of infections until disease reaches an advanced stage, an ability that is believed to help them evade predators. 7,9,10,[12][13][14]16,[41][42][43][44][45] These clinical research successes have been, in part, the result of focus on the highest-priority clinical needs, the ability to train dolphins to perform certain behaviors that facilitate examination, access to clinical and longitudinal dolphin health data and archived biological specimens, collaborations with leading national experts, and adequate funding. Currently available diagnostic imaging procedures, such as ultrasonography, radiography, CT, and the use of CT-or ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy techniques to obtain specimens of diseased tissues, along with the development and use of broth cultures and PCR assays for the detection of various pathogens, have improved the ability to identify and confirm infections in the early stages of disease, characterize the severity of the disease, and monitor the response to treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] This research has improved the scientific community' s general understanding of dolphin physiology Objective-To evaluate annual survival and mortality rates and the longevity of a managed population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Because of the clinical and biological research conducted over the past half century, knowledge of dolphin physiology, clinical medicine, and behavior at the MMP has expanded greatly.…”

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confidence: 99%

Evaluation of annual survival and mortality rates and longevity of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at the United States Navy Marine Mammal Program from 2004 through 2013

Venn‐Watson¹,

Jensen²,

Smith³

et al. 2015

javma

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Objective-To evaluate annual survival and mortality rates and the longevity of a managed population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Design-Retrospective cohort study. Animals-103 bottlenose dolphins at the US Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP). Procedures-Population age structures, annual survival and crude mortality rates, and median age at death for dolphins > 30 days old were determined from 2004 through 2013. Results-During 2004 through 2013, the annual survival rates for MMP dolphins ranged from 0.98 to 1.0, and the annual crude mortality rates ranged from 0% to 5%, with a mean of 2.7%. The median age at death was 30.1 years from 2004 through 2008 and increased to 32 years from 2009 through 2013. The maximum age for a dolphin in the study was 52 years. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results indicated that the annual mortality rates were low and survival rates were high for dolphins in the MMP from 2004 through 2013 and that the median age at death for MMP dolphins during that time was over 10 years greater than that reported in free-ranging dolphins. These findings were likely attributable to the continually improving care and husbandry of managed dolphin populations.

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“…Comparisons of vitamin concentrations in blood of wild and collection dolphins showed differences, with applications to the nutritional care of collection dolphins [Crissey and Wells, 1999]. Comparisons of immunoglobulin concentrations between wild and collection dolphins have also have been conducted [Ruiz et al, 2008].…”

Section: Health Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning from nature: bottlenose dolphin care and husbandry

Wells

2009

Zoo Biology

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110

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The world's longest-running study of a wild dolphin population, operated by the Chicago Zoological Society since 1989, has focused on the multi-generational resident community of about 160 bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, since 1970. Observational and capture-release research on the biology, behavior, life history, ecology, and health of individually identifiable bay residents of up to 59 years of age and spanning five generations has helped to inform collection managers at the Brookfield Zoo and partner institutions. Age, sex, and genetic compositions of colonies at cooperating institutions have been based on observations of social structure and genetic paternity testing in Sarasota Bay to optimize breeding success. Breeding success, including calf survivorship, is evaluated relative to individual wild dolphin reproductive histories, spanning as many as nine calves and four decades. Individual rearing patterns for wild dolphins provide guidance for determining how long to keep mothers and calves together, and help to define the next steps in the calves' social development. Health assessments provide data on expected ranges of blood, milk and urine values, morphometrics, and body condition relative to age, sex, and reproductive condition. Calf growth can be compared with wild values. Target weights and blubber thicknesses for specific age and sex classes in specified water temperatures are available for wild dolphins, and caloric intakes can be adjusted accordingly to meet the targets. A strength of the program is the ability to monitor individuals throughout their lives, and to be able to define individual ranges of variability through ontogenetic stages.

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Baseline circulating immunoglobulin G levels in managed collection and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Cited by 22 publications

References 19 publications

Effect of age, sex, and season on the variation in blood analytes of a clinically normal ex situ population of killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Effect of age, sex, and season on the variation in blood analytes of a clinically normal ex situ population of killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Evaluation of annual survival and mortality rates and longevity of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at the United States Navy Marine Mammal Program from 2004 through 2013

Learning from nature: bottlenose dolphin care and husbandry

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