Dear All,
My co-authors and I would like to share our Open Access publication in Diseases
of Aquatic Organisms:
Barratclough, Ashley, Forrest M. Gomez, Jeanine S. Morey, Jennifer M. Meegan,
Celeste Parry, Lori Schwacke, Eric D. Jensen, and Cynthia R. Smith.
"Biochemical and hematological biomarkers of reproductive failure in bottlenose
dolphins Tursiops truncatus." Diseases of aquatic organisms 144 (2021): 197-208.
https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v144/p197-208/
<https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v144/p197-208/>
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03591 <https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03591>
ABSTRACT: The physiological demands of pregnancy inevitably result in
alterations in both biochemical and hematological parameters as fetal
development occurs. The shifts observed in successful pregnancy in bottlenose
dolphins Tursiops truncatus to support both fetal physiological needs and
maternal basal requirements have been established according to each trimester.
Detecting aberrations in blood-based biomarkers could help facilitate diagnosis
of gestational abnormalities, improve our understanding of factors influencing
reproductive outcomes and aid in prediction of reproductive failure. This study
retrospectively analyzed 263 blood samples from 15 bottlenose dolphins in 21
failed pregnancies over 28 yr (1989-2017). Most samples remained within normal
pregnancy reference ranges; however, significant shifts were observed between
trimesters. Hematological alterations, compared to successful pregnancy
reference ranges from previously published data, were consistent across failed
pregnancies and included an increased prevalence of elevated 2nd and 3rd
trimester neutrophils, elevated 2nd trimester monocytes and decreased 3rd
trimester eosinophils. In addition, low hematocrit and low red blood cells were
more prevalent in the 2nd trimester. Biochemical shifts included an increased
prevalence of elevated creatine phosphokinase in the 3rd trimester outside of
the normal reference ranges. Across failed pregnancies, calcium and iron were
decreased in the 3rd trimester. Significantly decreased progesterone in the 3rd
trimester was a negative prognostic indicator of pregnancy outcome with
decreasing 3rd trimester progesterone associated with failed pregnancy. This
study demonstrates the use of blood-based biomarkers as possible predictors of
pregnancy outcome in bottlenose dolphins.
KEY WORDS: Dolphin · Pregnancy · Failure · Blood · Biochemistry · Hematology ·
Biomarker
Best Wishes,
Ashley Barratclough
Conservation Medicine Veterinarian
National Marine Mammal Foundation
2240 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
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