Abstract
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.
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