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PloS one2019; 14(11); e0224822; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224822

Investigation of biochemical and physiological parameters of the newborn Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in Gansu Province, China.

Abstract: The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is a critically endangered species, and there has been limited success in restoring the population by captive breeding. This study assessed the biochemical and physiological parameters of newborn Saiga antelope to provide reference information that can be used to evaluate their health. Comparisons have been made with parameters for horses and closely related members of the Bovidae family but there are no reference values for the newborn Saiga antelope. Biochemical and physiological parameters were measured in 61 animals. An automatic analyzer (Hitachi Ltd. 7180 Serial, Tokyo, Japan) was used to analyze the biochemical parameters, while the Coulter counter (Model ZK) was used to analyze the physiological parameters. The results showed that the biochemical and physiological parameters differ considerably in range. The evaluation of parameters stratified by sex showed differences. Triglyceride and LDL cholesterol concentrations among male animals were significantly higher than those in female animals, while the creatine kinase concentrations were significantly higher in females than in males. Comparing this study's results with published data for horses showed many similarities and some differences. Cholesterol, magnesium and glucose levels were similar between Saiga antelope and horses, while albumin and hematocrit levels in Saiga antelope differed from the reference values in horses. The study has shown that horses and even closely related members of the Bovidae family are not suitable references when evaluating the biochemical and physiological properties of newborn Saiga antelope. These animals have unique stressors and warrant further study to inform efforts pertaining to their care and the future sustainability of the species.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-26 PubMed ID: 31770378PubMed Central: PMC6879164DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224822Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the biochemical and physiological characteristics of newborn Saiga antelopes, an endangered species, with the intention to generate reference information on their health. Differences have been observed in these parameters between male and female newborns, and comparisons to horses and members of the Bovidae family reveal both similarities and differences.

Research Background

  • The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is a critically endangered species. Efforts continue to restore their population, particularly through captive breeding programmes, but success has been limited.
  • This study endeavours to gather a deeper understanding of the physiological and biochemical properties of newborn Saiga antelope. Such data is expected to help in health assessments and might contribute positively to their survival rates.
  • Comparison of such parameters with data for horses and members of the Bovidae family was carried out due to the limited existing reference data for Saiga antelopes. A need was observed to comprehend whether these related species were a good reference point for Saigas.

Research Methodology

  • Physiological and biochemical parameters were measured in a sample of 61 newborn Saiga antelopes.
  • An automatic analyzer, Hitachi Ltd. 7180 Serial, was used to analyze the biochemical parameters while a Coulter counter device was employed for analyzing physiological parameters.

Key Findings

  • The biochemical and physiological parameters were found to be varied considerably across the individuals of the sample population.
  • Sex-based differences were identified where male antelopes had noticeably higher levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol than females. Similarly, females had markedly higher concentrations of creatine kinase than males.
  • The study found variations between these data and the data available for horses. For instance, cholesterol, magnesium and glucose levels were similar between Saiga antelope and horses, while Saiga antelopes’ albumin and hematocrit levels differed from horses’ reference values.

Conclusions and Further Steps

  • The research concludes that horses and even related members of the Bovidae family might not serve as adequate reference points when assessing the biochemical and physiological properties of newborn Saiga antelopes.
  • The unique conditions of these animals, including their specific stressors, warrant further, dedicated studies, especially in light of the data gathered in this research.
  • Such studies could be important in informing their future care and contributing to the sustainability of the species.

Cite This Article

APA
Liu X, Mawolo JB, Du X, Zhou Y, Wang H, Liu F, He Z, Marela HA. (2019). Investigation of biochemical and physiological parameters of the newborn Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in Gansu Province, China. PLoS One, 14(11), e0224822. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224822

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 11
Pages: e0224822
PII: e0224822

Researcher Affiliations

Liu, Xia
  • Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
Mawolo, James Blackar
  • Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
Du, Xiaohua
  • Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
Zhou, Yingjie
  • Gansu Endangered Animal Protection Center of State Forestry Administration, Wuwei Town, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
Wang, Haifang
  • Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
Liu, Fayang
  • Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
He, Zhiqing
  • Gansu Endangered Animal Protection Center of State Forestry Administration, Wuwei Town, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.
Marela, Haqi Astika
  • Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Antelopes / physiology
  • China
  • Female
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Vasiliev G, Chadaeva I, Rasskazov D, Ponomarenko P, Sharypova E, Drachkova I, Bogomolov A, Savinkova L, Ponomarenko M, Kolchanov N, Osadchuk A, Oshchepkov D, Osadchuk L. A Bioinformatics Model of Human Diseases on the Basis of Differentially Expressed Genes (of Domestic Versus Wild Animals) That Are Orthologs of Human Genes Associated with Reproductive-Potential Changes. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Feb 26;22(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms22052346pubmed: 33652917google scholar: lookup
  2. Liu X, Mawolo JB, Du X, Zhou Y, Wang H, Liu F, He Z, Marela HA. Correction: Investigation of biochemical and physiological parameters of the newborn Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) in Gansu Province, China. PLoS One 2020;15(3):e0230095.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230095pubmed: 32119720google scholar: lookup
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