scholarly journals Body of evidence: forensic use of baseline health assessments to convict wildlife poachers

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Henen ◽  
Margaretha D. Hofmeyr ◽  
Ernst H. W. Baard
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Discriminant Functions ◽  
Field Equipment ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
Health Assessments ◽  
Discriminant Analyses

Context Given the immense impact of wildlife trade, disease and repatriations on populations, health assessments can provide powerful forensic material to help convict wildlife poachers and minimise risks of releasing unhealthy wildlife. Aims We aimed to use reference ranges to assess the health of confiscated tortoises, to illustrate forensic application of these ranges, and to advance analyses for future applications. Methods We used analyses of variance (ANOVA) and covariance (ANCOVA), and composite indices, to compare wild and confiscate tortoise body condition, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration of males and females of three tortoise species. Subsequently, we used multivariate statistics (e.g. discriminant analyses) to evaluate the relative importance of species, sex and group (wild or confiscate) on tortoise condition and haematology. Key results Our initial statistical tests demonstrated, at P < 0.05 to P < 0.0005, that confiscate body condition and haematology were compromised compared with that of wild tortoises. Subsequently, discriminant analyses strongly discriminated between most wild and confiscate groups (P < 0.0001), correctly classified individual health as wild or confiscate 80–90% of the time, indicated that species and sex effects were stronger than was the wild-confiscate category, and provided discriminant functions for use on other taxa and studies. Conclusions The health assessments discriminated well between wild and confiscate tortoises. The results had considerable forensic value, being relevant, quickly generated using portable field equipment, reliable, accurate, easy to explain and convey in terms of likelihood in a court of law, synergistically consistent among variables and groups, a strong rebuttal to the poachers’ specific statements, and consistent with other types of evidence. Multivariate analyses were consistent with, and more prudent and powerful than, the original statistical analyses. Discriminant functions can be applied in future studies and on other chelonian species, and should be developed for other wildlife species. Implications Reference ranges provide considerable value for forensics, diagnostics and treatment. Given the disease risks resulting from the massive scale of wildlife trade and release, reference ranges should be developed for more species.

The impact of botfly parasitism on the health of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis)

Parasitology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 146 (8) ◽  
pp. 1013-1021
Author(s):  
Priscilla Lóra Zangrandi ◽  
André Faria Mendonça ◽  
Ariovaldo Pereira Cruz-Neto ◽  
Rudy Boonstra ◽  
Emerson M. Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Local Extinctions ◽  
The Impact

AbstractFragmented habitats generally harbour small populations that are potentially more prone to local extinctions caused by biotic factors such as parasites. We evaluated the effects of botflies (Cuterebra apicalis) on naturally fragmented populations of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis). We examined how sex, food supplementation experiment, season and daily climatic variables affected body condition and haemoglobin concentration in animals that were parasitized or not by botflies. Although parasitism did not affect body condition, haemoglobin concentrations were lower in parasitized animals. Among the non-parasitized individuals, haemoglobin concentration increased with the increase of maximum temperature and the decrease of relative humidity, a climatic pattern found at the peak of the dry season. However, among parasitized animals, the opposite relationship between haemoglobin concentration and relative humidity occurred, as a consequence of parasite-induced anaemia interacting with dehydration as an additional stressor. We conclude that it is critical to assess how climate affects animal health (through blood parameters) to understand the population consequences of parasitism on the survival of individuals and hence of small population viability.

scholarly journals Effect of Medicinal Plants on Haematology and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Village Chickens Naturally Infected with Heterakis gallinarum

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mwale ◽  
PJ Masika ◽  
SA Materechera
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Village Chickens ◽  
Heterakis Gallinarum ◽  
Aloe Ferox ◽  
Aqueous Leaf Extract ◽  
Serum Biochemical ◽  
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin

The effects of Aloe ferox, Agave sisalana and Gunnera perpensa on haematological and biochemical parameters of village chickens naturally infected with Heterakis gallinarum were evaluated. One hundred and twelve mature village chickens were randomly allotted into 14 groups of 8 chickens. Group 1 and 2 were orally administered 1 mL distilled water for 4 consecutive days and 1 mL mebendazole (once), respectively. Groups 3-6 received 1 mL orally of aqueous leaf extract of A. ferox for 4 consecutive days, groups 7-10 A. sisalana and 11-14 G. perpensa in graded doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Blood was collected into vacutainers in triplicate, from the wing veins on day 0, 7 and 14. Data was analysed using general linear model of statistical analyses system. Chickens offered A. sisalana (200 mg/kg) had highest alanine transaminase (ALT) value (P < 0.05; 7.50 ± 0.406 U/l) on day 0. On day 7 and 14, there was no difference in ALT values (P >0.05). Significant differences among plants for aspartate transaminase on day 0, 7 and 14 were observed. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume were maintained within the reference range. From day 0 to 14, haematocrit was reduced for chickens on G. perpensa (50, 100 and 400 mg/kg), A. ferox (100 and 400 mg/kg) and A. sisalana (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). Haemoglobin was out of range on day 0 and improved to be within the range on day 7 and 14. The medicinal plants enabled normal synthesis and functioning of haematological and biochemical parameters of village chickens and were maintained within the expected reference ranges. These plants are crucial phytomedicines for treating H. gallinarum infestations in village chickens.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i2.21263Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (2): 99-106 

scholarly journals Laboratory Characteristics of Umbilical Cord Blood in Makurdi North-Central Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-233
Author(s):  
A I Nwannadi ◽  
T Z Swende ◽  
O O Alao ◽  
H I Aba ◽  
M A Onoja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Umbilical Cord Blood ◽  
Blood Count ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
White Blood Count ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Distribution Method

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) which is useful in supportive and definitive management of inherited and acquired disorders is usually discarded in our environment. We sought to establish reference values for some haematological parameters of UCB in Makurdi, Nigeria to assist clinicians better interpret results of haematological parameters of UCB. This was a prospective quantitative study that involved analyzing UCB of qualified women to determine its complete blood count, fetal haemoglobin concentration, clotting profile and fibrinogen concentration. Reference ranges of these parameters were thereafter calculated using normal distribution method. The effects of maternal and fetal factors on these parameters were assessed using the Student t-test and ANOVA. The mean total white blood count (TWBC) was 12.3±3.7 x 109/L. Female births had significantly higher TWBC than male births (13.2 ± 3.3 x 109/L vs 11.0 ± 3.8 x 109/L, p=0.003). Babies that weighed 3.0-3.5kg also had significantly higher TWBC (18.9x109L) than those that weighed 2.4-2.9kg (8.7x109/L) p=0.010.Female births had significantly higher haemoglobin concentration (Hb) (13.9g/dl) than male births (11.9g/dl) p=0.001. Similarly, older women aged 32-41 years had significantly higher Hb (13.4g/dl) than those aged 18-24 years (11.6g/dl) p=0.002. Also, women that had more than two children had higher Hb than those who had one or two, (14.7g/dl vs 12.3g/dl) p=0.030. Babies that weighed 3.0-3.5kg at birth also had significantly higher Hb (16.2g/dl) than babies that weighed 2.4-2.9kg (12.3g/dl), p=0.003.The reference values of the haematological parameters of cord blood in our study were similar to what was reported from other developing countries. This study has provided data on haematological parameters of UCB for clinical use in our environment and we recommend routine UCB analysis in order to aid early detection of some inherited and congenital disorder.

scholarly journals Laboratory Characteristics of Umbilical Cord Blood in Makurdi North-Central Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-233
Author(s):  
A I Nwannadi ◽  
T Z Swende ◽  
O O Alao ◽  
H I Aba ◽  
M A Onoja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Reference Values ◽  
Umbilical Cord Blood ◽  
Blood Count ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
White Blood Count ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Distribution Method

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) which is useful in supportive and definitive management of inherited and acquired disorders is usually discarded in our environment. We sought to establish reference values for some haematological parameters of UCB in Makurdi, Nigeria to assist clinicians better interpret results of haematological parameters of UCB. This was a prospective quantitative study that involved analyzing UCB of qualified women to determine its complete blood count, fetal haemoglobin concentration, clotting profile and fibrinogen concentration. Reference ranges of these parameters were thereafter calculated using normal distribution method. The effects of maternal and fetal factors on these parameters were assessed using the Student t-test and ANOVA. The mean total white blood count (TWBC) was 12.3±3.7 x 109/L. Female births had significantly higher TWBC than male births (13.2 ± 3.3 x 109/L vs 11.0 ± 3.8 x 109/L, p=0.003). Babies that weighed 3.0-3.5kg also had significantly higher TWBC (18.9x109L) than those that weighed 2.4-2.9kg (8.7x109/L) p=0.010.Female births had significantly higher haemoglobin concentration (Hb) (13.9g/dl) than male births (11.9g/dl) p=0.001. Similarly, older women aged 32-41 years had significantly higher Hb (13.4g/dl) than those aged 18-24 years (11.6g/dl) p=0.002. Also, women that had more than two children had higher Hb than those who had one or two, (14.7g/dl vs 12.3g/dl) p=0.030. Babies that weighed 3.0-3.5kg at birth also had significantly higher Hb (16.2g/dl) than babies that weighed 2.4-2.9kg (12.3g/dl), p=0.003.The reference values of the haematological parameters of cord blood in our study were similar to what was reported from other developing countries. This study has provided data on haematological parameters of UCB for clinical use in our environment and we recommend routine UCB analysis in order to aid early detection of some inherited and congenital disorder.

scholarly journals Selected haematological and biochemical indices in donkeys in the Czech and Slovak Republics

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markéta Sedlinská ◽  
Dominika Biricová ◽  
Eliška Horáčková ◽  
Miroslava Mráčková
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Mean Cell Volume ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Biochemical Indices ◽  
Haematological Indices

The aim of this study was to establish normal reference values of biochemical and haematological indices of donkeys in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Blood samples were obtained from 112 clinically healthy donkeys (37 males and 75 females). The haematological indices examined were: red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, platelets, segmented neutrophils, neutrophil bands, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. The biochemical properties examined were: total protein, albumin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, triacylglycerols, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, lactate. The results reported in this study could serve as reference ranges for the donkey population in the Czech and Slovak Republics.

scholarly journals Comparative Efficacy of Two Antibiotics for the Management of Secondary Bacterial Infection in Goats Clinically Affected by Peste des Petits Ruminants

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Ijeoma Chekwube Chukwudi ◽  
David Ikechukwu Eguji ◽  
Olalekan Taiwo Jeremiah ◽  
Boniface Maduka Anene
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Bacterial Infection ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Peste Des Petits Ruminants ◽  
Secondary Bacterial Infection ◽  
Haematological Profile

Aims: Peste des petits Ruminants (PPR) is a major viral disease that poses a challenge to small ruminant farming. Its natural occurrence has been complicated by secondary bacterial infection which has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality rates. This study reports the management outcome of natural PPR-infected goats using two types of antibiotics in Nsukka metropolis of Enugu State Nigeria. Methodology: Goats (N=24) were confirmed to be suffering from PPR based on clinical signs and using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The animals were divided into two groups. Group A was treated with 20% oxytetracycline (N= 10) and group B with procaine penicillin and streptomycin combination (penstrept) (N= 14) injection. Clinical signs, recovery and survivability, temperature, haematology [Packed cell volume (PCV); haemoglobin concentration (Hbconc); red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts] and some serum biochemical profiles [alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate transaminase (AST); total protein (TP); Albumin; urea; creatinine; potassium and sodium] were used to assess the efficacy of the antibiotics using standard techniques. Results: The mean temperature, RBC, WBC and urea values of the PPR-infected goats were above their reference ranges, mean albumin values were below the reference range while mean Hbconc, PCV, AST, ALT, TP and creatinine values were within their reference range before the commencement of treatment. Following treatment, clinical signs cleared in 20% and 35.7% of the goats treated with oxytetracycline and penstrep respectively. Death was recorded in 20% and 15% of goats treated with oxytetracycline and penstrep respectively before the end of treatment. Penstrep-treated group showed improvement in their haematological profile. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the use of penstrep in the management of PPR-infected goats gave a better result.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF RISK AND NO-RISK INTERVENTIONS BY MEMBERS OF FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS UNDER MULTI-RISK CONDITIONS

2021 ◽  
pp. 049
Author(s):  
Marijola Božović ◽  
Emina Mihajlović ◽  
Nenad Živković ◽  
Snežana Živković
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Assessments ◽  
Discriminant Analyses

The issue of occupational safety and health of the members of fire and rescue units has been continuously studied by numerous authors. Their interest stems from the constant need to improve the methods and procedures of occupational safety and health assessments for fire and rescue unit members, all for the purpose of preventing injuries, primarily the fatal ones. The fact that a certain number of high-risk situations in which firefighters avoid an injury or death remain unreported poses a serious threat to the firefighters’ safety. This threat has been unjustifiably neglected and it is what motivated the research discussed in this paper, which reveals the results of three discriminant analyses.

scholarly journals Body Condition and Chronic stress in Urban and Rural Noisy Miners

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chela Powell ◽  
Alan Lill ◽  
Christopher P. Johnstone
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Blood Haemoglobin ◽  
Mass Size ◽  
Condition Indices ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Native Birds

Cities are potentially stressful environments for birds for numerous reasons, including their high volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Native birds inhabiting cities tolerate such human disturbance, but may still potentially incur some cost that is reflected in body condition and the level of chronic stress experienced, unless they are inherently relatively insensitive to urban stressors. We compared body mass and condition, three erythrocyte variables and heterophil: lymphocyte ratios (HL) of adult Noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala) in urban Melbourne, Australia and its rural hinterland. Urban individuals had a significantly higher HL (mean 0.995) than rural con-specifics (0.719), suggesting that they may have been experiencing higher chronic stress levels. Body condition (mass-size residuals) and haematocrit were similar in urban and rural individuals, but urban individuals were a little heavier (~ 1%) and rural individuals had a 0.6 g dl higher whole blood haemoglobin concentration. There were no significant relationships between body condition indices and blood variables of the kind demonstrated in some bird species; their absence in Noisy miners may either reflect a lack of winter fattening or confirm that the occurrence of these relationships is species-specific.

Differential rates of offspring provisioning in Gould's petrels: are better feeders better breeders

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence W. O'Dwyer ◽  
William A. Buttemer ◽  
David M. Priddel
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Probability Of Survival ◽  
Variable Nature ◽  
Provisioning Rate ◽  
Peak Mass ◽  
Parental Condition ◽  
Foraging Ability ◽  
Positive Correlations

Procellariiformes (albatrosses and petrels) must accumulate substantial energy reserves to sustain them while incubating their single egg. They then produce a chick that is often more than 130% of their own body mass. Thus, despite the variable nature of resource availability in the marine environment, successful reproduction requires a considerable increase in foraging rates. Birds that are better foragers are, therefore, likely to be better parents. As surrogates of foraging ability, we assessed two parental traits that are separated temporally over the breeding season, body condition during incubation and provisioning performance, in Gould’s petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera). Although parental condition did not influence hatching success, we found significant positive correlations between the average body condition of a breeding pair and both the growth rate of chicks (g day–1) and the body condition of chicks at peak mass. Provisioning rate also correlated positively with chick condition. Chick condition was positively correlated with haemoglobin concentration [Hb] at peak mass, which was positively correlated with [Hb] at fledging. Because the probability of survival after fledging may be influenced by chick body condition and [Hb], the ability of parents to acquire additional resources for breeding is likely to be an important determinant of reproductive success.

Claw disorders in dairy cattle – an unexpected association between energy metabolism and sole haemorrhages

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Wilhelm ◽  
Jürgen Wilhelm ◽  
Manfred Fürll
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Fat Thickness

The present study investigated whether changes of energy metabolism post-partum (pp) are associated with claw health. For this purpose, back-fat-thickness (BFT) was measured and blood samples were taken from 146 cows at four examination times. The serum levels of free fatty acids (FFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose were measured. Furthermore, in the first week postpartum (pp) and at 8 weeks pp, a claw trimming was done and the presence and extent of sole haemorrhages (SH) was recorded. Animals with high BFT at calving and therefore high fat mobilisation and whose FFA and BHB levels in the first week pp exceeded the reference values had fewer pathological changes of the claws than thinner animals whose FFA and BHB levels stayed within reference ranges. The body condition before calving, represented in this study by BFT, plays an important role in non-infectious claw disorders. Poorer body condition was found to be associated with the SH that develop in the first 2 months of lactation.

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