Hematologic and biochemical differences between two free ranging Yangtze finless porpoise populations: The implications of habitat

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.

Immune Responses of the Critically Endangered Yangtze Finless Porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis) to Escalating Anthropogenic Stressors in the Wild and Seminatural Environments

“…An ultrasound (LOGIQ Book XP, New York, United States) examination of the reproductive tract and the presence of milk in the mammary glands were used to confirm pregnancy and lactation state, respectively. Data for biochemistry and hematology from these samples have been previously reported by Nabi et al (2017a). A description of the YFPs used in this study is summarized in Table 1.…”

“…The total length of the reserve is 21 km with a width of 1-2 km (Hao et al, 2009;Wang, 2013). Both in the TZO and the Yangtze River, ecological and environmental conditions are identical (Wang, 2015) except for apparently higher water pollution in the TZO from nearby farmland drainage (Nabi et al, 2017a). Unlike the Poyang Lake, there is no dredging and shipping.…”

“…However, during pregnancy and lactation, the rate of biomagnification is higher in fetuses and calves compared to adults (Smith and Reeves, 2000;Dong et al, 2006). Despite pollutant exposure, the YFP population in the TZO has a significantly lower body weight/length ratio compared to that in Poyang Lake, suggesting an inadequate feeding resource (Nabi et al, 2017a).…”

“…In addition, the availability, quality, and diversity of prey for YFPs have declined from 1954 to 1990 (Chen et al, 2002;Dong et al, 2006;Wang, 2009;Schelle, 2010;Nabi et al, 2018a). Since 1992, animals in the TZO are exposed to heavy pesticides and agricultural run-offs from the nearby farmlands and poultry wastes (Nabi et al, 2017a(Nabi et al, , 2018a. The YFPs throughout its lifespan ingest and biomagnification several pollutants in various tissues of their bodies at different rates (Dong et al, 2006).…”

“…Except for a few physiological studies (Nabi et al, 2017a(Nabi et al, ,b, 2018a, little is known about the pathophysiological effects of environmental stressors on YFPs. Pathologic and physiologic responses to environmental stressors have an essential role in allowing animals to cope with the environment and are largely uncharacterized in cetaceans (Fair et al, 2017).…”