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Gaudzinski-Windheuser S, Kindler L, MacDonald K, Roebroeks W. Hunting and processing of straight-tusked elephants 125.000 years ago: Implications for Neanderthal behavior. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd8186. [PMID: 36724231 PMCID: PMC9891704 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) were the largest terrestrial mammals of the Pleistocene, present in Eurasian landscapes between 800,000 and 100,000 years ago. The occasional co-occurrence of their skeletal remains with stone tools has generated rich speculation about the nature of interactions between these elephants and Pleistocene humans: Did hominins scavenge on elephants that died a natural death or maybe even hunt some individuals? Our archaeozoological study of the largest P. antiquus assemblage known, excavated from 125,000-year-old lake deposits in Germany, shows that hunting of elephants weighing up to 13 metric tons was part of the cultural repertoire of Last Interglacial Neanderthals there, over >2000 years, many dozens of generations. The intensity and nutritional yields of these well-documented butchering activities, combined with previously reported data from this Neumark-Nord site complex, suggest that Neanderthals were less mobile and operated within social units substantially larger than commonly envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser
- MONREPOS Archaeological Research Center and Museum for Human Behavioral Evolution, Schloss Monrepos, Neuwied 56567, Germany (LEIZA)
- Institute of Ancient Studies, Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Schönborner Hof, Schillerstraße 11, Mainz 55116, Germany
| | - Lutz Kindler
- MONREPOS Archaeological Research Center and Museum for Human Behavioral Evolution, Schloss Monrepos, Neuwied 56567, Germany (LEIZA)
- Institute of Ancient Studies, Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Schönborner Hof, Schillerstraße 11, Mainz 55116, Germany
| | - Katharine MacDonald
- Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Wil Roebroeks
- Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9514, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
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Chusyd DE, Brown JL, Golzarri-Arroyo L, Dickinson SL, Kraus VB, Siegal-Willott J, Griffin TM, Huebner JL, Edwards KL, Allison DB, Austad SN. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REPRODUCTIVE AND BONE BIOMARKERS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN ZOO ASIAN ( ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) AND AFRICAN ( LOXODONTA AFRICANA) ELEPHANTS. J Zoo Wildl Med 2023; 53:801-810. [PMID: 36640083 PMCID: PMC10150656 DOI: 10.1638/2021-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is common in zoo Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants. This study investigated the relationship between confirmed or suspected OA with ovarian cyclicity, gonadotropins, progestagens, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and collagen type I (CTX-I) in zoo elephants. In Asian elephants, odds of having confirmed or suspected OA decreased with cycling (OR = 0.22, P = 0.016; OR = 0.29, P = 0.020, respectively), however, not when adjusted for age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31, P = 0.112; OR = 0.58, P = 0.369, respectively). In African elephants, none of the models between confirmed OA and cycling status were significant (P > 0.060), while the odds of having suspected OA decreased with cycling (OR = 0.12, P = 0.001), even after adjusting for age (OR = 0.15, P = 0.005). Progestagens (Asian elephants P > 0.096; African elephants P > 0.415), LH (Asian P > 0.129; African P > 0.359), and FSH (Asian P > 0.738; African P > 0.231) did not differ with confirmed or suspected OA status, unadjusted. CTX-I concentrations were not related to OA status (P > 0.655). This study concluded hormonal changes may not have a strong impact on OA, so additional investigation into other serologic biomarkers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella E Chusyd
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA,
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Janine L Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Stephanie L Dickinson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Virginia B Kraus
- Division of Rheumatology, Departments of Medicine, Pathology, and Orthopedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 22701, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 22701, USA
| | - Jessica Siegal-Willott
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Riverdale, MD 20737, USA
| | - Timothy M Griffin
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Janet L Huebner
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 22701, USA
| | - Katie L Edwards
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - David B Allison
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Steven N Austad
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Nathan Shock Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Biology Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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3
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Chusyd DE, Nagy TR, Golzarri-Arroyo L, Dickinson SL, Speakman JR, Hambly C, Johnson MS, Allison DB, Brown JL. Adiposity, reproductive and metabolic health, and activity levels in zoo Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus). J Exp Biol 2021; 224:224/2/jeb219543. [PMID: 33500325 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.219543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Many captive Asian elephant populations are not self-sustaining, possibly due in part to obesity-related health and reproductive issues. This study investigated relationships between estimated body composition and metabolic function, inflammatory markers, ovarian activity (females only) and physical activity levels in 44 Asian elephants (n=35 females, n=9 males). Deuterium dilution was used to measure total body water from which fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) could be derived to estimate body composition. Serum was analyzed for progestagens and estradiol (females only), deuterium, glucose, insulin and amyloid A. Physical activity was assessed by an accelerometer placed on the elephant's front leg for at least 2 days. Relative fat mass (RFM) - the amount of fat relative to body mass - was calculated to take differences in body size between elephants into consideration. Body fat percentage ranged from 2.01% to 24.59%. Male elephants were heavier (P=0.043), with more FFM (P=0.049), but not FM (P>0.999), than females. For all elephants, estimated RFM (r=0.45, P=0.004) was positively correlated with insulin. Distance walked was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.46, P=0.007). When adjusted for FFM and age (P<0.001), non-cycling females had less fat compared with cycling females, such that for every 100 kg increase in FM, the odds of cycling were 3 times higher (P<0.001). More work is needed to determine what an unhealthy amount of fat is for elephants; however, our results suggest higher adiposity may contribute to metabolic perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella E Chusyd
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA .,Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Tim R Nagy
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.,Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.,Nathan Shock Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Stephanie L Dickinson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - John R Speakman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK.,Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Catherine Hambly
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Maria S Johnson
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - David B Allison
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Janine L Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
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Pontzer H, Rimbach R, Paltan J, Ivory EL, Kendall CJ. Air temperature and diet influence body composition and water turnover in zoo-living African elephants ( Loxodonta africana). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:201155. [PMID: 33391799 PMCID: PMC7735349 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
African elephants, the largest land animal, face particular physiological challenges in captivity and the wild. Captive elephants can become over- or under-conditioned with inadequate exercise and diet management. Few studies have quantified body composition or water turnover in elephants, and none to date have examined longitudinal responses to changes in diet or air temperature. Using the stable isotope deuterium oxide (2H2O), we investigated changes in body mass, estimated fat-free mass (FFM, including fat-free gut content) and body fat in response to a multi-year intervention that reduced dietary energy density for adult African elephants housed at the North Carolina Zoo. We also examined the relationship between air temperature and water turnover. Deuterium dilution and depletion rates were assayed via blood samples and used to calculate body composition and water turnover in two male and three female African elephants at six intervals over a 3-year period. Within the first year after the dietary intervention, there was an increase in overall body mass, a reduction in body fat percentage and an increase in FFM. However, final values of both body fat percentage and FFM were similar to initial values. Water turnover (males: 359 ± 9 l d-1; females: 241 ± 28 l d-1) was consistent with the allometric scaling of water use in other terrestrial mammals. Water turnover increased with outdoor air temperature. Our study highlights the physiological water dependence of elephants and shows that individuals have to drink every 2-3 days to avoid critical water loss of approximately 10% body mass in hot conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Pontzer
- Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca Rimbach
- Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jenny Paltan
- Department of Anthropology, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
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5
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Sun Z, Tang Z, Yang X, Liu QS, Liang Y, Fiedler H, Zhang J, Zhou Q, Jiang G. Perturbation of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole in adipogenesis of male mice with normal and high fat diets. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:135608. [PMID: 31767314 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
As one of the widely used anthropogenic food additives, 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (3-BHA) has been found to perturb adipogenesis in vitro and induce lipid accumulation in some strains of oleaginous microalgae. The impact of this chemical on adipocyte development and lipid metabolism in mammals remains to be elucidated. In this study, we performed 18-week oral administration of 3-BHA to male C57BL/6J mice with normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) and investigated its impacts on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in vivo. The results indicated that long-term exposure to 3-BHA impacted the mouse body weight gain, white adipose tissue accumulation, and plasma lipids through transcriptional regulation of adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and adipocyte endocrine function, while glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity remained unaffected. HFD-fed mice responded to 3-BHA stimulation differently from ND-fed animals, suggesting potential risks for the human burden of 3-BHA in lean and obese subjects. The findings herein validate 3-BHA as an environmental obesogen, and more caution is recommended for its authorized use as a food antioxidant against lipid rancidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhi Tang
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoxi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qian S Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Heidelore Fiedler
- Örebro University, School of Science and Technology, MTM Research Centre, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden; UN Environment (UNEP), Chemicals Branch, CH-1219 Châtelaine (GE), Switzerland
| | - Jianqing Zhang
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Qunfang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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6
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Schiffmann C, Clauss M, Hoby S, Hatt JM. Weigh and see-Body mass recordings versus body condition scoring in European zoo elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus). Zoo Biol 2019; 39:97-108. [PMID: 31737945 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Regular body mass (BM) monitoring plays a key role in preventative health care of zoo animals. In some species, including African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), the process of weighing can be challenging, and alternative methods such as visual body condition scoring (BCS) have been developed. We investigated the temporal development of both parameters regarding correlation patterns between them, and their suitability as monitoring measures in dependence of an elephant's life stage. While BM is more suitable in calves and juveniles under the age of 8 years, both BM and BCS are considered equally reliable in adult elephants. In elephants over the age of 40 years, BCS might be more suitable for assessing the physical status. Independent of species and sex, juvenile zoo elephants grow in BM nearly linearly with age, and reach a higher BM at an earlier age compared with conspecifics of free-ranging and semi-captive populations in the countries of origin. The BCS typically remains constant during this life stage, seemingly unaffected by growth. In adult animals, breeding females have a lower BM and BCS than nonbreeders, and BM and BCS typically indicate fluctuations in the same direction. In geriatric elephants (>40 years) a drop in BCS occurs commonly, while BM may even increase in this life stage. We recommend regular body mass recording in zoo elephants to enhance our knowledge of body mass development and allow the formulation of objective practical recommendations. BCS presents a valuable and simple tool for complementary monitoring of an elephant's condition, especially in adult and geriatric individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schiffmann
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Hoby
- Zoologischer Garten Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Tierpark Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Michel Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Sun Z, Yang X, Liu QS, Li C, Zhou Q, Fiedler H, Liao C, Zhang J, Jiang G. Butylated hydroxyanisole isomers induce distinct adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 379:120794. [PMID: 31238218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.120794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) isomers, as the widely used anthropogenic antioxidants in food, have been revealed to induce endocrine disrupting effects, while the mechanism how BHA isomers regulate the lipogenic differentiation remains to be elucidated. Using 3T3-L1 differentiation model, the effects of BHA isomers, including 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (2-BHA), 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (3-BHA) and their mixture (BHA), on adipogenesis were tested. The results showed that 3-BHA and BHA promoted adipocyte differentiation and enhanced the cellular lipid accumulation through the regulation of the transcriptional and protein levels of the adipogenetic biomarkers, while 2-BHA had no effect. The effective window for 3-BHA induced lipogenesis was the first four days during 3T3-L1 differentiation. BHA isomers showed no binding affinities for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Instead, the upstream of PPARγ signaling pathway, i.e. the phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), upregulation of CAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) and elevated cell proliferation during postconfluent mitosis stage were induced by 3-BHA exposure. Altogether, this study revealed the adipogenic effect of 3-BHA through interference with the upstream events of the PPARγ signaling pathway. The authorized usage of BHA as food additives and its occurrence in human sera can potentially contribute to the incidence of obesity, which is of high concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian S Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chuanhai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qunfang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
| | - Heidelore Fiedler
- Örebro University, School of Science and Technology, MTM Research Centre, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden; UN Environment (UNEP), Chemicals Branch, CH-1219 Châtelaine GE, Switzerland
| | - Chunyang Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianqing Zhang
- Department of POPs Lab, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Chusyd DE, Brown JL, Golzarri-Arroyo L, Dickinson SL, Johnson MS, Allison DB, Nagy TR. Fat mass compared to four body condition scoring systems in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Zoo Biol 2019; 38:424-433. [PMID: 31361060 PMCID: PMC6786925 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Captive elephant populations are not self-sustaining due to health concerns possibly related to obesity. Categorizing obesity relies on qualitative analyses like body condition scores (BCS). However, elephant indices have not been validated against measured body composition. The objective was to compare BCS systems to body composition determined by deuterium dilution in 28 zoo-kept Asian elephants. Elephants were weighed and given deuterated water orally (0.05 ml/kg). Blood was collected at ~0, 24, 120, 240, 360, and 480 hr after dosing. Photographs were taken to score the elephant based on four BCS systems (BCSWemmer [0 to 11 scoring], BCSMorfeld [1 to 5 scoring], BCSFernando [0 to 10 scoring], BCSWijeyamohan [1 to 10 scoring]). Based on regression analysis, relative fat ranged from -305 kg to 515 kg, where negative values indicate less and positive values indicate more fat than expected for the elephant's mass in this population. BCSFernando was associated with relative fat (p = .020, R2 = 0.194). Relative fat, adjusted for sex and age in the statistical model, was associated with BCSWemmer (p = .027, R2 = 0.389), BCSFernando (p = .002, R2 = 0.502), and BCSWijeyamohan (p = .011, R2 = 0.426). Inclusion of zoo and familial relatedness resulted in all BCS systems associated with relative fat (p ≤ .015). Only BCSFernando predicted relative fat, unadjusted, suggesting it is the most capable system for practical use. Compared to absolute fat, relative fat may be more biologically relevant as greater fat relative to body mass is more likely to lead to health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella E. Chusyd
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Janine L. Brown
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, Conservation & Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Maria S. Johnson
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David B. Allison
- School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Tim R. Nagy
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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10
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Norkaew T, Brown JL, Bansiddhi P, Somgird C, Thitaram C, Punyapornwithaya V, Punturee K, Vongchan P, Somboon N, Khonmee J. Body condition and adrenal glucocorticoid activity affects metabolic marker and lipid profiles in captive female elephants in Thailand. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204965. [PMID: 30278087 PMCID: PMC6168167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in western zoo elephants have found relationships between body condition and physiological function, and identified mitigating management strategies to optimize health and welfare. A similar methodological approach was used in this study, which evaluated a body condition score (BCS; 1 = thinnest, 5 = fattest) every other month and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations twice monthly in 33 tourist camp elephants in Thailand for a 1-year period to assess seasonal variations, and determine how lipid profiles [total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides (TG)] and metabolic parameters [insulin, glucose, fructosamine, glucose to insulin ratio (G:I)] related to measures of body condition and adrenal function. The most prevalent BCS was 3-3.5 (60.6%), with 27.3% at BCS = 4 (overweight) and 12.1% at BCS = 4.5-5 (very overweight); no elephants had a BCS <2. BCSs were higher in rainy and winter seasons compared to summer, with FGM, TG, HDL, LDL, and insulin also higher in the rainy and/or winter seasons (p<0.05). By contrast, TC and glucose were lowest in the rainy season. FGM measures were negatively associated with two environmental factors: temperature and rainfall, but not humidity. Positive correlations were found between BCS and TC, LDL, and HDL, and between FGM and TC, HDL, glucose, and insulin (p<0.05), whereas BCS and FGM were both negatively associated with the G:I (p<0.05). However, there was no relationship between BCS and FGM among the camp elephants. Using BCS and FGM measures as outcome variables in separate regression models, this study found high BCS and elevated FGM concentrations were associated with altered lipid profiles and metabolic status in elephants. Furthermore, more work hours/day was associated with better body condition and health measures. Thus, being overweight and exposed to factors that increase adrenal activity could adversely affect health status, requiring alterations in management for some individuals, whereas exercise appears to have a protective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Treepradab Norkaew
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Elephant and Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Janine L. Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Pakkanut Bansiddhi
- Center of Excellence in Elephant and Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chaleamchat Somgird
- Center of Excellence in Elephant and Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Companion Animal and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chatchote Thitaram
- Center of Excellence in Elephant and Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Companion Animal and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Veerasak Punyapornwithaya
- Veterinary Public Health Centre for Asia Pacific, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Khanittha Punturee
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Preeyanat Vongchan
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nopphamas Somboon
- Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jaruwan Khonmee
- Center of Excellence in Elephant and Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Bioscience and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Hufenus R, Schiffmann C, Hatt JM, Müller DWH, Lackey LB, Clauss M, Zerbe P. Seasonality of reproduction in Asian elephantsElephas maximusand African elephantsLoxodonta africana: underlying photoperiodic cueing? Mamm Rev 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Hufenus
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstr. 260 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Christian Schiffmann
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstr. 260 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Jean-Michel Hatt
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstr. 260 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | | | - Laurie Bingaman Lackey
- World Association of Zoos and Aquariums; IUCN Conservation Centre; Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland Switzerland
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstr. 260 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Philipp Zerbe
- Clinic for Zoo Animals; Exotic Pets and Wildlife; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Zurich; Winterthurerstr. 260 8057 Zurich Switzerland
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