Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Captive Andean Condors

Doussang, Daniela; Palma, Cristina; Moreno, Lucila; Zambrano, Brayan; Pavéz, Eduardo; Cerda, Fabiola; González‐Acuña, Daniel

doi:10.3356/jrr-16-14.1

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…On this basis, and coupled with examination during sampling, we can reasonably assume that most wild condors were not challenged by disease at the time of sampling, and therefore, were not developing the relevant immune responses. In contrast, rehabilitating condors showed alterations in blood parameters compatible with health alterations based on reference values reported for this species (Doussang et al, 2018; Wiemeyer, 2019). So, even though these condors were affected by different pathologies, they can be grouped as individuals suffering health alterations of variable degree.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 52%

“…A previous study (in a subset of individuals we sampled) comparing the health status of wild and rehabilitating condors found that wild condors did not show alterations compatible with health problems in any of the different blood parameters measured (hematocrit, hemoglobin, hepatic enzymes, urea, uric acid; Wiemeyer, 2019), compared with the available reference values for this species (Doussang et al, 2018 and references therein). On this basis, and coupled with examination during sampling, we can reasonably assume that most wild condors were not challenged by disease at the time of sampling, and therefore, were not developing the relevant immune responses.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 85%

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Plasma carotenoids and immunity in a despotic avian scavenger

et al. 2020

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Carotenoids are pigmented compounds acquired through diet that have important functions as antioxidants and immune modulators. We studied the association between immunity and circulating carotenoids in Andean condors (Vultur gryphus). We evaluated the relationship between α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin blood concentrations and different circulating carotenoids in two groups of Andean condors that differ in their mean health status, rehabilitating (suffering different pathologies), and wild individuals (trapped when displaying their physiological behavior). In rehabilitating individuals, α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin concentrations were higher than in wild individuals. This shows that rehabilitating individuals were developing an immune response associated with the pathologies that they were suffering at the time of sampling. In addition, circulating carotenoids were lower in rehabilitating than in wild individuals. We found negative correlations between α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulins and different circulating carotenoids in rehabilitating individuals, but not in wild condors. Xanthophylls were strongly related to α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin blood concentrations in rehabilitating, but not in wild condors. Our results suggest that there is a potential relationship between circulating carotenoids and immunity in the Andean condor. Given that this species may display a carotenoid‐based pigmentation, our results could suggest that a trade‐off between the immune system and external coloration could operate in this species, which may have implications in their access to food resources and mate selection and, thus, in their conservation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 52%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 85%

Plasma carotenoids and immunity in a despotic avian scavenger

et al. 2020

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“…A previous study on those condors (wild and rehabilitating) evaluated different blood parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cell counts, hepatic enzymes, etc. ), and it found that wild condors do not show alterations in any of the different blood parameters measured (Wiemeyer, ) compared with the reference values for this species (Doussang et al, ). Therefore, the wild condors we sampled can be considered a healthy population.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Moreover, given that the reintroduction of unhealthy individuals can impact wild populations negatively (Armstrong & Seddon, 2008), our results are important for evaluating the health of Andean condors for reintroduction programs, especially in detecting health problems that cannot be detected through basic blood analysis. Previous studies have reported hematological values in Andean condors (Balasch et al, 1976;Doussang et al, 2018;Gee et al, 1981;Toro et al, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These reference values are crucial to earlier diagnosis and better treatments in rehabilitation centers, and to assess the health status of wild populations (Deem et al, 2001). There have been various studies on the health of Andean condors (Balasch, Musquera, Palacios, Jimenez, & Palomeque, 1976;Doussang et al, 2018;Toro, Pavez, Gough, Montes, & Kaleta, 1997;Wiemeyer et al, 2013Wiemeyer et al, , 2017. However, there is no detailed information on important health indicators, such as plasma protein patterns.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Protein electrophoresis in Andean condors (Vultur gryphus): Reference values and differences between wild and rehabilitating individuals

et al. 2019

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The study of wildlife health greatly contributes to understanding population dynamics and detecting conservation threats. The determination of the different fractions of plasma proteins (proteinogram) is an important laboratory tool to study wildlife health. The aim of this study was to characterize protein electrophoresis in wild Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) from north‐western Patagonia and to evaluate differences according to age and sex classes. Once reference values of wild, apparently healthy individuals, were established, we compared these values to those of individuals received at the Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina for rehabilitation due to various health problems. Reference proteinograms from wild Andean condors differed only in the α 1 and β 2‐fractions between sex categories. Males showed higher concentrations of these protein fractions than females. We found clear differences between wild birds and rehabilitating individuals. Total proteins, globulins, α 1‐globulins, total α‐globulins, β 2‐globulins, total β‐globulins, and γ‐globulins were significantly higher in rehabilitating than in wild individuals, whereas albumin, α 2, and β1‐globulins were similar between these groups. The albumin/globulin ratio, as a general indicator of health, was significantly lower in rehabilitating than in wild individuals. The results indicate the effects on different protein fractions of pathologic processes occurring in individuals undergoing rehabilitation. Our results provide useful insights, contributing to improving diagnoses and prognoses in this species. This information may also be useful to assess the health status of Andean condors in studies of wild populations and for comparisons with other bird species.

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Relationship between blood lead levels and clinical and physiological factors in Bonelli's eagle

Villén‐Molina,

Rodríguez,

López

et al. 2023

J Wildl Manag

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Lead is a toxic metal that produces effects on the overall health of animals, resulting in mortality at high exposures, adverse physiological and behavioral effects at lower concentrations, and population declines in many species. Scavengers and predators are more susceptible to lead toxicity because of behavioral and physiologic factors, and long lifespans increase the risk of exposure cumulatively. Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) is a long‐living predator that may have reduced breeding success because of lead exposure. We analyzed the blood lead levels of 54 wild and captive Bonelli's eagles admitted to a recovery center in Spain from May 2014 to July 2015 and the lead relationship among physiological, clinical, and environmental variables. We detected blood lead using anodic stripping voltammetry. Lead levels were below the limit of quantification (3.3 μg/dL) in 100% of captive animals (n = 22); in contrast, 21.9% of wild birds (n = 32) had higher lead levels than captive birds (P = 0.020). Among wild animals, the 2 adults tested had detectable lead, the only eagle sampled in autumn had the highest lead levels of the study (14.7 μg/dL), and 16.7% of nestlings had detectable lead levels. There is no evidence that the lead levels differ between sexes. There were no symptoms associated with lead intoxication or any correlation between lead levels and hematological or biochemical values; however, subclinical lead exposure at early ages can be harmful and could influence neurological and body development. Researchers should determine if lead could be causing damage to wildlife from early ages to determine if lead exposure affects the conservation of the threatened population of Bonelli's eagles in Spain and elsewhere.

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Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Captive Andean Condors

Cited by 10 publications

References 26 publications

Plasma carotenoids and immunity in a despotic avian scavenger

Plasma carotenoids and immunity in a despotic avian scavenger

Protein electrophoresis in Andean condors (Vultur gryphus): Reference values and differences between wild and rehabilitating individuals

Relationship between blood lead levels and clinical and physiological factors in Bonelli's eagle

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