Metabolic indicators of habitat condition and capture stress in pronghorns

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3800766· OSTI ID:5917433

Seal, U S; Hoskinson, R L

Blood samples were collected from 3 Idaho pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) populations whose summer ranges are separated by physiographic features. Hematology and blood chemistry data were analyzed in terms of stress, age, sex, and ecological features of the habitat. Capture effects were reflected in levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), and perhaps serum cortisol. Age differences were observed for hematology, fibrinogen, LDH, and SGOT. There were age and sex differences in alkaline phosphatase levels. Differences were found between populations with respect to 15 of the 19 assays performed. Effects attributable to differences in nutrition were observed for serum urea nitrogen, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum triglycerides, and alkaline phosphatase. Serum urea concentrations were related to the protein content of available food plants. The results indicate that it may be possible to assess the condition of pronghorn antelope habitat by measurement of the metabolic status of animals from free-ranging populations.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul
• OSTI ID: 5917433
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 42:4; ISSN JWMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
550500 -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AGE GROUPS
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
AMIDES
AMINOTRANSFERASES
ANIMALS
ANTELOPES
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
DEHYDROGENASES
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
ESTERS
FIBRINOGEN
GLOBULINS
HABITAT
HEMATOLOGY
HYDROLASES
LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE
LIPIDS
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
NUTRITION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
PHOSPHATASES
PROTEINS
RUMINANTS
SEX
TRANSFERASES
TRIGLYCERIDES
UREA
VERTEBRATES