Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Assess Body Composition of Seals

Gales, Rosemary; Renouf, Deane; Worthy, Graham A. J.

doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.1994.tb00385.x

Cited by 17 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(24 reference statements)

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“…We could predict TBW very well using body mass alone. Though the literature on the use of BIA to predict components of body composition in wild animals is growing, few studies have compared the ability of morphometric vs. bioelectric variables to predict TBW (Wirsing et al 2002; see for example Gales et al 1994). In those studies Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The role of fat stores in northern species is of particular importance because many animals occurring in cold climates experience seasonal cycles of fat acquisition and depletion associated with limited food availability (e.g., yellow-bellied marmots, Marmota flaviventris (Audubon and Bachman, 1841), Armitage et al 1976; muskrats, Ondatra zibethicus (L., 1766), Virgl and Messier 1992; seals, Phoca groenlandica Erxleben, 1777 (= Pagophilus groenlandicus (Erxleben, 1777)) and Phoca hispida Schreber, 1775 (= Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)), Gales et al 1994; porcupines, Erethizon dorsatum (L., 1758), Berteaux et al 2005; skunks, Mephitis mephitis (Schreber, 1776), Hwang et al 2005; raccoons, Procyon lotor (L., 1758), Pitt et al 2006; also see Pond 1978 andWunder 1984). However, measuring body composition in free-ranging animals is challenging.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Not all of these methods are equally practical in field situations. BIA has been used extensively to measure body composition in humans (Lukaski et al 1985;Lukaski 1989;Kushner 1992;Islam et al 1999) and is becoming more common in use with wildlife (e.g., bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758, Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780, and Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) (Farley and Robbins 1994;Hilderbrand et al 1998), skunks (Hwang et al 2005), raccoons (Pitt et al 2006), moose (Alces alces (L., 1758)) (Hundertmark and Schwartz 2002), ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) (Gales et al 1994), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius, 1791)) (Bowen et al 1999), red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)), yellow-bellied marmots, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) (Wirsing et al 2002), and wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons (Owen, 1845)) (Woolnough et al 1997). BIA has some advantages over other nondestructive methods in that it requires holding a subject for only as long as it takes to connect the subject to the BIA analyzer, is relatively inexpensive, makes use of a small and easily portable device, and can be used on animals across a wide range of sizes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Body composition, and particularly the level of body fat stores, can serve as an index of how well animals respond to variation in the quality of the local environment (Gales et al 1994), can indicate the nutritional status of individuals and populations (Hilderbrand et al 1998;Hundertmark and Schwartz 2002), can provide information about energy and material flux rates (Reilly and Fedak 1990), and can indicate the physical condition, prospects for survival or reproduction, or quality of habitat of an animal (Hwang et al 2005). The role of fat stores in northern species is of particular importance because many animals occurring in cold climates experience seasonal cycles of fat acquisition and depletion associated with limited food availability (e.g., yellow-bellied marmots, Marmota flaviventris (Audubon and Bachman, 1841), Armitage et al 1976; muskrats, Ondatra zibethicus (L., 1766), Virgl and Messier 1992; seals, Phoca groenlandica Erxleben, 1777 (= Pagophilus groenlandicus (Erxleben, 1777)) and Phoca hispida Schreber, 1775 (= Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)), Gales et al 1994; porcupines, Erethizon dorsatum (L., 1758), Berteaux et al 2005; skunks, Mephitis mephitis (Schreber, 1776), Hwang et al 2005; raccoons, Procyon lotor (L., 1758), Pitt et al 2006; also see Pond 1978 andWunder 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The value of bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. condition indices in predicting body fat stores in North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum)

2006

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We developed a predictive model to estimate body fat stores in a population of North American porcupines, Erethizon dorsatum (L., 1758). We trapped porcupines in the autumn of 2004 and spring of 2005. After collecting morphometric measurements on each animal, we used a plethysmograph to perform bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We euthanized the subjects, measured two components of body composition (body fat, body water) via direct chemical analysis, and calculated lean dry mass to compare with BIA data. With regression we found the best predictive models for total body water, total body fat, percent body fat, and lean dry mass. We also estimated body condition for each animal using six different condition indices and compared the ability of the condition indices and our regression model to predict total body fat. Our model for total body fat accounted for 84% of the variation in fat measured by direct chemical analysis, and our model for percent body fat accounted for 78% of the variation. Two condition indices were significantly related to total body fat in porcupines and explained 45%-49% of the variation in observed body fat. We recommend BIA as a useful technique for estimating body fat stores in field studies of free-ranging porcupines and suggest abandonment of the use of condition indices as analogues of body fat stores in animal studies unless the indices can first be validated.Résumé : Nous avons mis au point un modèle prédictif pour estimer les réserves de graisses corporelles chez une population de porcs-épics nord-américains, Erethizon dorsatum (L., 1758). Nous avons attrapé les porcs-épics au piège à l'automne 2004 et au printemps 2005. Après avoir pris les mesures morphométriques de chaque animal, nous avons mesuré l'impédance bioélectrique à l'aide d'un pléthysmographe. Nous avons ensuite euthanasié les animaux, mesuré deux composantes de leur composition corporelle (graisses corporelles et contenu hydrique) par analyse chimique directe, calculé la masse sèche sans les graisses et comparé ces données à celles de la méthode de l'impédance bioélectrique (BIA). À l'aide de régressions, nous avons trouvé les meilleurs modèles prédictifs du contenu hydrique corporel total, des graisses corporelles totales, du pourcentage de graisses corporelles et de la masse sèche sans les graisses. Nous avons aussi estimé la condition corporelle de chaque animal à l'aide de six coefficients différents de condition et comparé la capacité de prédic-tion du contenu corporel total de graisses de ces coefficients de condition et celle de notre modèle de régression. Notre modèle du contenu corporel total de graisses explique 84 % de la variation des graisses mesurées par analyse chimique directe et notre modèle du pourcentage corporel des graisses explique 78 % de la variation. Deux des coefficients de condition sont en corrélation directe avec les graisses corporelles totales chez les porcs-épics et ils expliquent 45 % -49 % de la variation dans les graisses corporelles observées. Nous recommandons la méthode BIA co...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The value of bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. condition indices in predicting body fat stores in North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum)

2006

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“…Transmission of an electrical current through the organism will have greater resistance through fat tissue and more conductivity through lean mass (Hilderbrand, Farley & Robbins, ), with body water and body fat being inversely related (Farley & Robbins, ). BIA has been used to quantify fatness in a range of species, including humans (Lukaski et al ., ), porcupines Erethizon dorsatum (Barthelmess, Phillips & Schuckers, ), pinnipeds (Gales et al ., ), skunks Mephitis mephitis (Hwang, Larivière & Messier, ), raccoons Procyon lotor (Pitt, Larivière & Messier, ), horses Equus species (Latman et al ., ) and ursids (Hilderbrand et al ., ; Gau & Case, ; Robbins et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative assessment of metrics for monitoring the body condition of polar bears in western Hudson Bay

2016

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Many species experience prolonged periods of fasting due to changes in habitat and food availability. Metrics that quantify energy reserves available during these periods allow for a better understanding of the interaction between environmental change and species survival. Body condition of polar bears has been assessed using morphometric and subjective indices, lipid content of adipose tissue, body composition models and, recently, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We assessed the utility of BIA and examined correlations among condition metrics for 134 free‐ranging polar bears on shore in western Hudson Bay in fall 2012–2013 and spring 2013–2014. We also examined long‐term inter‐annual and seasonal trends from 736 bears handled in 2004–2014. Total body fat, as estimated from BIA, was correlated with adipose tissue lipid content, energy density and fatness index, but not storage energy or skull width. Body condition was higher in adult and subadult females than males, consistent with energetic demands of gestation and lactation. Adult females had higher body fat in the fall than spring, and body fat decreased with increasing number of dependent offspring. Long‐term trends indicated a decline in body condition for all adult and subadult males and females. Although there were similar patterns among BIA and other established metrics, its limitations in the field suggest that BIA may not be the most efficient method of monitoring body composition in polar bears in comparison to other modeled metrics, such as energy density. Declines in polar bear body condition over time may be a reflection of contemporaneous changes in sea ice availability and population demography, and thus have implications for the long‐term conservation of this subpopulation.

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A comparison of techniques used to estimate body condition of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

Tierney¹,

Hindell²,

Lea³

et al. 2001

Wildl. Res.

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The total body water (TBW) and body condition of 86 female southern elephant seals was estimated from tritiated water (HTO) dilution space analysis. HTO blood samples were analysed using two distillation methods (direct serum counts and evaporative freeze capture) that yielded significantly different estimates. Evaporative freeze capture is recommended for use because it is faster, cheaper, and provides a more precise TBW estimate of dilution space. Estimates of TBW were then compared with those derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and morphometric models. There were significant, positive relationships between TBW and BIA variables, but the level of accuracy was inadequate for BIA to be more useful than the other methods trialled. Morphometric models accurately estimated TBW (kg). Models developed from surface area (SA) (TBW = [SA * 82.58] – 86.94) and from a combination of mass (M), length (L), and girth (G) (TBW = [(M * 0.72) + (L * 5.49) + (G * 134.94) + 164.36)] provided the most accurate TBW estimates. In contrast, condition indices did not give accurate or reliable estimates of relative body condition.

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Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Assess Body Composition of Seals

Cited by 17 publications

References 18 publications

The value of bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. condition indices in predicting body fat stores in North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum)

The value of bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. condition indices in predicting body fat stores in North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum)

Comparative assessment of metrics for monitoring the body condition of polar bears in western Hudson Bay

A comparison of techniques used to estimate body condition of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

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