Abstract
Simple SummaryThe reference intervals (RIs) of immunity, serum components, bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition in 151 males of Pelophylax nigromaculatus were established. These analyses are easily replicable and can safely and accurately diagnose the physiological condition of animals. The use of combined examination allows for the establishment of a successful conservation strategy through the identification of conservation problems in many vertebrate groups.In conservation physiology, analyzing the physiological response of an organism to understand its ability to adapt to environmental changes is a key technique in establishing a successful conservation strategy. Veterinary clinical examinations determine the physiological condition of animals accurately and safely, and this examination is synergistic when combined. The accuracy and safety of a clinical examination makes it advantageous for use in amphibians with high species diversity and numerous endangered species. However, it is necessary to establish a reference interval (RI) for precise interpretations and identification of animals with abnormalities through individual unit testing. We have established RIs for the immunity, serum components, bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition of black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus). Black-spotted pond frogs are a common species and are widely distributed in East Asia, with suitable characteristics for environmental monitoring. Serum was extracted from 151 male frogs to establish the RI for bacterial killing ability in order to represent immunity. We also used the serum to establish an RI of ten additional serum components to determine the nutritional status, organ function status, body osmotic pressure, and homeostasis conditions. The BMD and three body composition measures for diagnosing food intake status and nutritional condition were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The RI was recorded as the mean ± standard deviation, median, first (25%) to third (75%) quantile range, 95% confidence interval of the mean and median, and the 95% percentile (2.5%–97.5% range) of all components. The use of combined clinical veterinary examinations aids our understanding of the physiological conditions of an individual according to biotic and abiotic factors on a complex spatiotemporal scale in an ecosystem.
Highlights
In conservation physiology, understanding the physiological conditions and responses of animals to environmental changes allows for the rapid assessment of conservation problems to establish a successful conservation strategy [1]
Bacterial killing assays using plasma or serum indicate innate immunity levels through complement reactions, which have been used to test the immune response in various animals, such as bats, birds, and amphibians, via acute stress, physiological stress, or dietary proteins [8,9,10,11,12]
Radiographic techniques have been used on various animals with disease, captive stress, or predator interaction, to diagnose physical abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, bone fractures, and food intake status [17,18,19,20]
Summary
In conservation physiology, understanding the physiological conditions and responses of animals to environmental changes allows for the rapid assessment of conservation problems to establish a successful conservation strategy [1]. Radiographic techniques have been used on various animals with disease, captive stress, or predator interaction, to diagnose physical abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, bone fractures, and food intake status [17,18,19,20]. These examination components vary in terms of their sensitivity level and response factors with the type of environmental factor or the stress intensity. Combining various veterinary clinical examinations can aid in diagnosing the physiological condition of animals in more detail
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