Aug 2026· Conservation Physiology· Vol 14· 0 citations· 58 references
Medicine
TL;DR
This study fills a critical gap in understanding pelican physiology and provides essential reference data for wildlife veterinarians, rehabilitators and conservation biologists in the assessment and management of pelican health, facilitating more effective interventions and providing a tool for monitoring broader ecosystem health.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to establish haematological and plasma biochemistry reference intervals for free-ranging adult and pre-fledged juvenile Australian pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus). These values represent the first species-specific assessments conducted to establish baseline blood values in a wild population of this species. Blood samples were collected from 58 adult pelicans and 53 pre-fledged juveniles between 2018 and 2024 across key sites in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, a significant Ramsar wetland for breeding pelicans. Complete blood counts and plasma biochemistry analyses were conducted to characterize reference intervals. White blood cell counts showed heterophils as the most abundant cell type in all age classes. Results revealed significant age-related differences in haematocrit values and plasma chemistry, including urea, total protein and calcium. By interpreting these data within a physiological as well as pathological framework, the study enhances understanding of normal species function and variation across life stages. This study fills a critical gap in understanding pelican physiology and provides essential reference data for wildlife veterinarians, rehabilitators and conservation biologists in the assessment and management of pelican health, facilitating more effective interventions and providing a tool for monitoring broader ecosystem health.
The establishment of reliable physiological baselines is essential for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of rescued wildlife, but reference intervals (RIs) are limited for many species encountered in rehabilitation settings. The Northern boobook (Ninox japonica) is one of the most frequently rescued owl species at wildlife rescue centers in the Republic of Korea, yet veterinary research on this species is scarce. This study aimed to establish the hematologic and plasma biochemical RIs for rehabilitated Northern boobooks and assess the agreement between field estimation methods and standard analytical techniques for selected variables. These variables included hemoglobin (Hgb) derived from packed cell volume, total protein (TP) measured by refractometry, and total white blood cell (TWBC) counts obtained from blood films. The blood profiles for RI calculation were collected from 41 clinically normal, rehabilitated individuals, and no statistically significant differences were found between the sexes for any parameter. Method comparison analyses for Hgb, TP, and TWBC found significant differences between the estimation techniques and their respective reference methods. The Bland–Altman plots found systematic biases for all methods, because the 95% confidence interval for mean biases excluded zero, indicating poor concordance. Passing–Bablok regression further confirmed systematic deviations, identifying a mix of constant and proportional biases that varied among the analytes. These findings underscore the need for caution when interpreting the estimated values in clinical settings. In addition, because rehabilitated individuals may appear clinically stable while harboring subclinical pathologies, the results of this study should be considered within the context of rehabilitation.
Jang-Hee Han, Jinyoung Kim, Soeun Ryu et al.· Journal of zoo and wildlife...· 0 citations
Season-specific RIs are provided for analytes with substantial seasonal effects of apparently healthy Mongolian Bactrian camels to support clinical interpretation and herd health monitoring under Mongolian pastoral conditions.
Tsognemekh Bolormaa, B. Sandagdorj, Sedkhuu Burenjargal et al.· Journal of Veterinary Medica...· 0 citations
The Black Marsh Turtle (Siebenrockiella crassicollis), a common freshwater species in Thailand, is currently listed as endangered. To support effective health assessment and conservation, this study established hematological and biochemical reference ranges for S. crassicollis and evaluated alterations in blood profiles associated with improper environmental conditions and illness. Blood samples from 56 turtles were analyzed, including clinically healthy individuals (32; 15 males and 17 females) and unhealthy individuals (24). The hematologic and biochemical parameters, including red blood cell indices, white blood cell counts and differentials, as well as blood chemistry values such as proteins, liver enzymes, metabolites, and minerals, were evaluated and summarized as baseline data. Among hematologic parameters, lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in males than in females. In contrast, females exhibited higher levels of cholesterol and phosphorus, while males showed higher activity of certain liver enzymes. Variations in some biochemical parameters were also observed and appeared to be associated with environmental factors, particularly differences in water quality among sampling sites. The results of this study provide important baseline information for improving the understanding of health status, clinical assessment, and appropriate husbandry of this protected species, ultimately contributing to more effective conservation strategies.
Jarukit Kunakornruangkit, Chinnawat Jamonjindamani, Pattawan Pongsupanimit et al.· 0 citations
These highly powered, sedation-contextualized RI provide a definitive, species-specific diagnostic framework that will significantly enhance veterinary care, colony management, and the interpretation of translational research utilizing A. nancymaae.
Carlos Gaspar, M. Nieto, N. Espinoza et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Immune assessment in wildlife populations is challenging. Peripheral blood sampling is a non-invasive approach in understudied elasmobranch populations. However, hematological reference values are scarce for most shark species, limiting veterinary and conservation applications. This study establishes reference intervals for differential leukocyte counts across seven wild-caught shark species.
Peripheral blood smears from Carcharhinus limbatus (blacktip), C. acronotus (blacknose), C. plumbeus (sandbar), C. leucas (bull), C. perezi (Caribbean reef), Negaprion brevirostris (lemon), and Galeocerdo cuvier (tiger) were analyzed. Wright—Giemsa—stained leukocytes were classified morphologically as lymphocytes, neutrophils, coarse eosinophilic granulocytes (CEG), fine eosinophilic granulocytes (FEG), monocytes, and basophils. Counts were conducted (100 cells/slide) in triplicate per individual, and morphometric measurements were conducted using image analysis software.
Leukocyte profiles varied across species and were dominated by lymphocytes with consistently low monocyte and basophil frequencies. Granulocyte to lymphocyte (GLR) ratios were within a narrow range, supporting GLR as a useful hematological biomarker. Substantial differences in granulocyte morphology were observed even among closely related species. C. limbatus exhibited lymphocyte predominance with balanced granulocyte subtypes. N. brevirostris showed comparatively few immature cells. Some species (C. leucas and G. cuvier) displayed elevated granulocyte ratios, which may be important considerations in evaluating immunological responsiveness to environmental stressors.
This study presents the first leukocyte reference intervals established from multiple species of wild-caught sharks. Results reveal interspecific variability in leukocyte distribution and establish essential hematological baselines for health assessment and conservation monitoring.
This research was supported by the University of Miami (UM) Shark Research and Conservation Program and the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund; no other funding sources were involved.
Veterinary and Comparative Immunology (VET)
Elise Cojocari, Liza Merly· Journal of Immunology· 0 citations
Introduction Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute phase protein used as an inflammatory biomarker in equine medicine. However, no universally accepted assay-specific reference interval (RI) exists for donkeys, and available literature remains limited, with only few studies using different donkey breeds and immunoassay platforms. This study aimed to establish an assay- and population-specific RI for serum SAA in apparently healthy donkeys using a species-specific double sandwich ELISA. Methods Serum SAA concentrations were measured in 176 apparently healthy donkeys. RI estimation followed ASVCP/CLSI recommendations. The primary RI was calculated nonparametrically as the central 95% interval from all reference individuals, and two-sided 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the reference limits were estimated nonparametrically. Data were inspected using Tukey’s interquartile fences; however, high-end observations were not excluded from the primary RI analysis. Exploratory analyses were performed to assess the need for partitioning by sex, age, or breed. Results The nonparametric RI for serum SAA was 2.91–42.85 ng/mL. The 90% CI for the lower reference limit was 0.00–4.07 ng/mL, and the 90% CI for the upper reference limit was 35.49–67.10 ng/mL. Exploratory analyses did not support partitioning by sex, age, or breed. The relatively broad CI for the upper reference limit indicated imprecision, likely reflecting the influence of a minority of high-end observations. Discussion The low SAA concentrations observed in this study are consistent with findings reported in horses. Differences between this and previous donkey studies may reflect variation in assay platform, sample size, management conditions, physiological state, or population characteristics. Because SAA is a rapidly responsive acute phase protein, the proposed interval should be interpreted as an assay- and population-specific RI rather than as a disease-classification decision limit. Clinical interpretation should therefore always consider the individual donkey’s clinical context.
Maciej Perzyna, Edith Bardet, Katarzyna Baranowska et al.· Frontiers in Veterinary Scie...· 0 citations