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Lee SB, Yuen AHL, Kim S, Jung WJ, Kim DG, Kim SW, Lee YM, Park D, Cho HS, Poon CTC, Kim SG, Giri SS, Jo SJ, Park JH, Hwang MH, Park EJ, Seo JP, Choe S, Baeck GW, Kim BY, Park SC. Ingestion of fishing gear and Anisakis sp. infection in a beached Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in the Jeju Island, Republic of Korea: findings from post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:232. [PMID: 38802879 PMCID: PMC11129503 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04090-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human fishing activities have significantly affect environmental concern for marine ecosystems, conservation of marine mammals, and human health. Coastal cetaceans are highly vulnerable to ingestion of fishing gear, bycatching, or entanglement, all of which can be fatal for these animals. In particular, certain coastal dolphins and porpoises are heavily impacted by fishing gear such as angling gear or stownet, as their food often overlap with the target fish species of human fisheries. CASE PRESENTATION This study presents a case of an Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) beached on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, with ingestion of fishing gear and severe Anisakis infection. Although this species inhabits waters ranging from the Persian Gulf to Taiwan, several stranded carcasses have been reported on Jeju Island in recent years. Post-mortem computed tomography revealed a bundle of four fishing hooks in the forestomach, along with nylon lines and steel lines with connectors, which were assumed to be angling gear for Jeju hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus). Further necroscopic investigation revealed that the forestomach contained a large number of Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Histological examination revealed a thickened forestomach wall with pinpoint and volcanic ulcerations, a thickened layer of stratified squamous epithelium, and infiltrated stroma in the squamous epithelium. CONCLUSIONS This study emphasizes the urgent need to address the impact of fishing activities on marine mammals, marine litter pollution, and the bycatch problem in Korean seawater. In addition, the occurrence of N. phocaenoides in seawater around Jeju Island should be raised in future geographical ecology or veterinary pathology studies and when its distribution is updated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Adams Hei Long Yuen
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sunmin Kim
- Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center and International Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Joon Jung
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Gyun Kim
- Department of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, Institute of Marine Industry, Marine Bio-Education & Research Center, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kyonggi University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cetacean Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dasol Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Seok Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Sang Guen Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kyonggi University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sib Sankar Giri
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jin Jo
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hong Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mae Hyun Hwang
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jae Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Pil Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjun Choe
- Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center and International Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun Wook Baeck
- Department of Marine Biology & Aquaculture, Institute of Marine Industry, Marine Bio-Education & Research Center, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Yeop Kim
- Department of Marine Industry and Maritime Police, College of Ocean Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Se Chang Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Felipe-Jiménez I, Fernández A, de Quirós YB, Arregui-Gil M, Puig-Lozano R, Arbelo M, Sierra E. Cerebral nasitremiasis in a Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) stranded in the Canary Islands. Res Vet Sci 2023; 158:56-64. [PMID: 36934640 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Ten species within the genus Nasitrema (subfamily Nasitrematinae, family Brachycladiidae) have been reported infecting a wide variety of odontocetes worldwide, although there is still a lack of information about their presence in beaked whales (BWs). Nasitrema spp. are commonly described inhabiting the pterygoid sinus, the tympanic cavities, and the middle and inner ear; although aberrant migrations through the brain have been also reported. This trematode may cause different type of lesions, ranging from mild to severe saculitis, neuritis, otitis, and/or meningoencephalitis that may impede cetaceans to survive in the wild, resulting in incoordination, loss of equilibrium, and echolocation dysfunction ending in a stranding event. The presence of Nasitrema sp. was found in an adult female Blainville beaked whale stranded death in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, on November 2016. The most relevant gross finding was a severe chronic-active multifocal pyogranulomatous and necrotizing encephalitis. Histologically, multiple areas of necrosis, pyogranulomatous and eosinophilic inflammation, haemorrhages and occasional cholesterol crystals were found associated with parasitic structures compatible with an adult trematode and its eggs. Molecular analysis, based on a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of the brain tissue sample detected 99% homology with a partial sequence of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) gene of Nasitrema delphini. In addition, liver, kidney, prescapular lymph node and brain samples were positive to herpesvirus (conventional nested PCR). Evidence of the presence of this parasite was not found in any of the 54 beaked whales (n = 54) stranded on the Canary Islands between 1999 and 2017, specifically 35 Cuvier's BWs and 19 specimens belonging to the Mesoplodon genus. To our knowledge, the current study represents the first description of a nasitremiasis in a member of the Ziphiidae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idaira Felipe-Jiménez
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quirós
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Marina Arregui-Gil
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Raquel Puig-Lozano
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Eva Sierra
- Division of Histology and Veterinary Pathology, Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, University Institute for Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, Arucas 35413, Canary Islands, Spain
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Kot BC, Ho HH, Leung EK, Chung TY, Tsui HC. Characterisation of Crassicauda fuelleborni nematode infection in Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) using postmortem computed tomography. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 18:68-75. [PMID: 35519505 PMCID: PMC9061254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes of the genus Crassicauda are parasites that infect various body tissues of cetaceans, including the mammary glands which can influence the reproductive output and hence threaten the survival of endangered cetacean populations. In this study, postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) was used to characterise lesions related to Crassicauda fuelleborni infections in stranded Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Hong Kong waters. Using PMCT and subsequently verified by conventional necropsy, Crassicauda-related lesions were found in 52% of finless porpoises examined (n = 13/25), including both males and females. These parasitic lesions were mostly located in the ventral abdominal muscles in both sexes and situated in proximity to the mammary glands in females. C. fuelleborni infections were also found in the male reproductive organs, which to our knowledge have not been reported in this cetacean species previously. PMCT characteristics of the lesions were also correlated with the gross appearance observed at necropsy and the chronicity of the parasitic infections. In conclusion, this study established the use of virtopsy, particularly PMCT, to characterise C. fuelleborni infections in stranded finless porpoises for the first time, which is non-invasive and can be used prior to conventional necropsy to aid disease diagnosis and targeted sampling. This technique can be extended to other species of cetaceans and parasites, as well as being used in the retrospective analysis of past PMCT scans to deepen our understanding of the prevalence, health impacts, and ecological implications of parasitic infection in cetaceans. Computed tomography descriptions of cetacean mammary glands and adjacent musculature. Detection and characterisation of Crassicauda-related lesions using virtopsy. Crassicauda-related lesions found in 52% of finless porpoises examined in Hong Kong. Virtopsy features correlated with necropsy findings and chronicity of infection. Virtopsy can be used to study the prevalence and impact of parasitic infection in cetaceans.
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Nakagun S, Kobayashi Y. Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Characterizations of Hepatic Trematodiasis in Odontocetes. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:336. [PMID: 32714946 PMCID: PMC7344244 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic trematodiasis is a common condition in a number of free-ranging cetacean species, which occasionally result in severe hepatic and/or pancreatic lesions. However, even the basic pathological information of this disease is unknown for the majority of affected species. The current study describes and compares the histomorphology and immune reaction induced by hepatic trematodes of the family Brachycladiidae in the liver of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena, n = 8), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli, n = 8), and Hubbs' beaked whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi, n = 2). Immunohistochemistry for eight antibodies (CK19, CD3, Foxp3, CD20, Iba1, CD68, CD163, and CD204) was conducted to analyze the pathology of these parasitic infections. In all three odontocete species, the changes observed in the trematode-affected biliary epithelium were comparable with marked hyperplasia and goblet cell metaplasia, as well as lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic inflammation. Additionally, regions of the Glisson's sheath were diffusely and severely fibrotic in all examined species, regardless of the physical presence of trematodes. Differences among the three species included the presence of characteristic lymphoid follicles formed in the fibrotic bile duct walls of only the two porpoise species. In the Hubbs' beaked whale, the degree of lymphoplasmacytic cholangitis was more severe, and ductular reaction was generally more prominent. In terms of the overall macrophage population among the three species, CD163- and CD204-positive cells (M2 macrophages) outnumbered Iba1- and CD68-positive cells (M1 macrophages), indicating a chronic infection stage in all analyzed individuals. Species-specific differences among the infiltrating macrophages included numbers of CD68-positive cells being significantly more abundant in the harbor porpoises, whereas CD163-positive cells were significantly more numerous in the Dall's porpoises. The numbers of CD204-positive macrophages were higher in the Hubbs' beaked whales compared to those in the porpoises. Trematode species of the harbor and Dall's porpoises were Campula oblonga, while they were Oschmarinella macrorchis in the Hubbs' beaked whales. This study concludes that interspecies differences in the tissue reactions to hepatic trematode infections are present among odontocete species and that the immune reaction varies depending on the species. This information aids in furthering our understanding of the pathogenesis of hepatic trematodiasis in cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Nakagun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshiyasu Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
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Katahira H, Ashida H, Kobayashi M. One-sided infections by intestinal parasites in two sympatric porpoises bycaught from the Nemuro Strait of Hokkaido, Japan. Parasitol Int 2020; 77:102118. [PMID: 32251728 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Due to the difficulties and limitations associated with field sampling of marine mammals, quantitative surveys on their parasites are still scarce in Japan. We here report the infection statuses of intestinal parasites in harbor porpoises (n = 34) and Dall's porpoises (n = 10), bycaught between 2014 and 2018 by a bottom set-net fishery in the northern part of the Nemuro Strait, Japan. Necropsies of the harbor porpoises recovered one digenean, Synthesium nipponicum, and two acanthocephalans, Corynosoma sp. and Bolbosoma sp.; no infection was observed in the Dall's porpoises. The dominant parasites were Corynosoma sp. and S. nipponicum, with a prevalence of 73.53 and 64.71% and a mean abundance of 43.88 and 7.38 individuals, respectively. Although the two porpoise-species have a sympatric distribution in this narrow strait, the findings support the existence of trophic-link dependences, which can differentially affect vulnerability to these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Katahira
- Department of Environmental Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
| | - Hana Ashida
- Department of Ocean and Fisheries Science, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri, Hokkaido 099-2493, Japan
| | - Mari Kobayashi
- Department of Ocean and Fisheries Science, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri, Hokkaido 099-2493, Japan
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Nabi G, Robeck TR, Hao Y, Wang D. Hematologic and Biochemical Reference Interval Development and the Effect of Age, Sex, Season, and Location on Hematologic Analyte Concentrations in Critically Endangered Yangtze Finless Porpoise ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis). Front Physiol 2019; 10:792. [PMID: 31354505 PMCID: PMC6637261 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, references intervals for 49 clinicopathological parameters were established for the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP) (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaorientalis). Both from the wild (Poyang Lake) and seminatural (Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow) populations, individual blood samples from 188 animals were collected from 2009 to 2017 and from 2002 to 2015, respectively. For reference interval determination, we used a non-parametric bootstrap-based procedure to determine the 95th percentiles and the associated 90% confidence interval for each analyte. Our results indicated a need to partition the analyte concentrations by sex, age group, or pregnancy; however, we did not find a need to partition results by location. We then used a linear mixed model to determine if evidence existed for mean differences between location with sex and season as covariates and age group as the clustered random variable on mean hematological parameters in the YFP. We found that 88% of the analytes were significantly different between locations. Within the covariates, sex and season showed 31 and 69% significant difference in mean distributions, respectively. Additionally, age group provided a significant source of variation in 25% of the analytes. In summary, our finding suggests that analytes should be grouped according to sex, age, and reproductive status (non-pregnant and non-lactating, pregnant and lactating). Furthermore, we have provided the first set of reference intervals for 49 clinicopathological parameters that could provide guidelines for the initial evaluation of individuals during health assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Nabi
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Todd R. Robeck
- SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Yujiang Hao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Sasaki M, Katahira H, Kobayashi M, Kuramochi T, Matsubara H, Nakao M. Infection status of commercial fish with cystacanth larvae of the genus Corynosoma (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) in Hokkaido, Japan. Int J Food Microbiol 2019; 305:108256. [PMID: 31299548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2019.108256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Acanthocephalans of the genus Corynosoma are known as intestinal parasites, mainly of pinnipeds. Human corynosomiasis has been reported as an infrequent foodborne disease in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Potential sources of the human infection are marine fish, because they are paratenic hosts of these parasites. In this study, the prevalence and intensity of larval Corynosoma in commercial fish from 17 fishing ports of Hokkaido were examined from April 2016 to January 2019. Out of a total of 1217 fish examined, 122 (10.0%) were infected with cystacanth larvae. The infected fish assemblage was composed of 7 families and 13 species from all the coastal seas of Hokkaido (the Pacific Ocean, Okhotsk Sea, and Japan Sea), showing that commercial fish can be source of human infection when eaten raw. Flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae showed the highest intensity of cystacanths, ranging from 1 to 56. A DNA barcoding system was developed in this study, based on the standard mitochondrial cox1 sequences of morphologically identified adults of Corynosoma spp. from pinnipeds in Hokkaido. By using the DNA barcoding, most of the fish-derived cystacanths were identified as either C. strumosum or C. villosum, and furthermore, a clinical isolate from human as C. villosum. Both of the species were commonly detected from various fish of Hokkaido, irrespective of the coastal seas. Flatfish frequently harbored C. villosum. Considering the wide range of commercial fish in Hokkaido and the advanced transportation system of fresh fish, there is a possibility that human corynosomiasis will occur everywhere in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Sasaki
- Department of Parasitology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan.
| | - Hirotaka Katahira
- Department of Ocean and Fisheries Science, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Mari Kobayashi
- Department of Aqua-Bioscience and Industry, Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Abashiri, Hokkaido 099-2493, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Kuramochi
- Department of Zoology, The National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0005, Japan
| | - Hajime Matsubara
- Noto Center for Fisheries Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Ossaka, Noto-cho, Ishikawa 927-0552, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakao
- Department of Parasitology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan
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Nabi G, Hao Y, Zeng X, Jinsong Z, McLaughlin RW, Wang D. Hematologic and biochemical differences between two free ranging Yangtze finless porpoise populations: The implications of habitat. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188570. [PMID: 29190288 PMCID: PMC5708617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The goals of this study were to compare the serum chemistry and hematology values of wild and semi-natural free-ranging Yangtze Finless Porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis) populations and to ascertain how these values change with the different environmental condition. For this study, samples were collected from 81 YFPs, 35 living in the wild and 46 living in a semi-natural reserve. Each population was divided into 8 life history categories; Male Calf, Female Calf, Juvenile Male, Juvenile Female, Adult Male, Pregnant, Lactating and Pregnant plus Lactating. Statistically significant differences in the various parameters were observed in the same life history categories for both populations. Generally, Lipid Profile, Hepatic Enzymes, Creatine Kinase, Red Blood Cells, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit and Neutrophils were significantly higher in the Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow population while, Creatinine, Phosphate, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Bilirubin and Lymphocytes were significantly higher in the Poyang Lake YFPs. Across the groups in the Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow population, a significant decrease in serum Albumin, Alkaline Phosphatase and Calcium, while a significant increase in the Neutrophils and Platelets was observed. Similarly, in the Poyang Lake, Alkaline Phosphatase levels in the Female Calves group, High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Lactating group, basophil counts in Pregnant plus Lactating group, lymphocytes counts in Juvenile Females group and Globulin and Total Protein levels in Pregnant group were significantly higher. This study in health assessments can help us to understand the effect of sex, age, reproductive status and environmental conditions on the well-being of Yangtze Finless Porpoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Nabi
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yujiang Hao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- * E-mail: (DW); (YH)
| | - Xianyuan Zeng
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zheng Jinsong
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Richard W. McLaughlin
- General Studies, Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ding Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- * E-mail: (DW); (YH)
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