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

Abstract

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.

Protein electrophoresis of non‐traditional species: A review

“…Free-ranging whooping cranes were observed to have higher gamma globulins than captive cranes, and juvenile birds had lower prealbumin and albumin levels vs adults; differences in many fractions were reported for free-ranging and captive Andean condors. 108,114 Age and sex differences were also reported in free-ranging black stork nestlings. 115…”

Plasma carotenoids and immunity in a despotic avian scavenger

“…In addition, some rehabilitating condors with high carotenoid concentrations and low globulin levels could have been suffering a mild pathological process without mounting a strong immune response. Finally, the overlap between wild and rehabilitating condors shown in the PCA analysis may be associated with the inherent individual variability of the studied variables both carotenoids and globulins (e.g., individual variability in the immune response and in the access to carotenoid compounds; Blanco et al, 2013; Plaza et al, 2019).…”

“…To measure α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulin concentrations, we performed protein electrophoresis in agar gel (Cray & Tatum, 1998) following the methodology used in Blanco et al (2006) and Plaza et al (2019). Briefly, we measured total protein plasma concentrations with a Hitachi 912 Chemistry Analyzer (Roche Diagnostic Corporation, Indianapolis, IN).…”

“…Wild Andean condors ( Vultur gryphus ) feeding on carcasses of wild and domestic ungulates show higher blood concentrations of different carotenoid fractions than condors in a rehabilitation center, which consume a diet restricted to flesh (Blanco et al, 2013). On the other hand, Andean condors in rehabilitation also show higher levels of α‐, β‐, and γ‐globulins in comparison to wild individuals, as a consequence of the immune response associated with different pathologies such as poisoning, lead contamination, infections, parasitic diseases, or trauma (Plaza et al, 2019). Therefore, evaluating the relationship between circulating carotenoids and different parameters of immunity, such as globulins, in wild and rehabilitating condors can help to understand how these limiting nutrients are used by the immune system when survival is threatened.…”