Longitudinal study of northern fur seal ( Callorhinus ursinus ) hematology

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

article

Kaoru KOHYAMA¹  Masashi KIYOTA²  Yasuo INOSHIMA³ 

[1] Izu Mito Sea Paradise;Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University;Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Gifu University;The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University;Education and Research Center for Food Animal Health, Gifu University (GeFAH);Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University

关键词: erythrocyte;    hematology;    leukocyte;    northern fur seal;    seasonal change;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.20-0645

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

Although the causes have not been specified yet, wild populations of northern fur seals ( Callorhinus ursinus ) have been decreasing, which is why conservation techniques such as captive breeding and health maintenance should be established. Hematological parameters can be used to maintain the health status of northern fur seals kept in captivity for artificial reproduction and public education. Year-round fluctuations of blood parameters have not been examined for northern fur seals due to the difficulties in obtaining serial blood samples from wild animals during the oceanic migration period from late autumn to spring. In this study, blood samples were collected from four captive northern fur seals and analyzed monthly for more than three years to clarify the seasonal fluctuation patterns in 14 hematological parameters. Many hematological parameters seemed to be seasonal patterns: summer–autumn and winter–spring; leukocyte-related parameters were higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring; erythrocyte-related parameters were lower in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. Significant seasonal differences in nine of the 14 parameters were observed using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis. These results have improved our understanding of the seasonal patterns of hematological characteristics in the northern fur seal and can contribute to the health care of protected or captive northern fur seals.

【 授权许可】

Unknown