Protein Electrophoresis and Haptoglobin Values for Captive Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Biochemistry
• Wildlife Health

Background:

• Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) health assessment often relies on clinical signs.
• Acute-phase proteins (APPs) are valuable biomarkers for inflammation and disease in various species.
• Limited data exists on APP profiles in bongo, hindering diagnostic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of acute-phase proteins (APPs) and protein electrophoresis in differentiating clinically normal and abnormal bongo.
• To establish reference ranges for key APPs like fibrinogen (FIB) and haptoglobin (HP) in bongo.
• To explore correlations between APPs, age, sex, and clinical status in bongo.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 37 normal and 13 abnormal bongo were analyzed.
• Assays for APPs (fibrinogen, haptoglobin) and protein electrophoresis were performed.
• Statistical analyses compared APP levels between normal and abnormal groups, and by sex and age.

Main Results:

• Abnormal bongo exhibited significantly higher FIB levels (p < 0.001) compared to normal bongo.
• Haptoglobin (HP) levels trended higher in abnormal bongo but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07).
• Female bongo, both normal and abnormal, had significantly lower FIB levels than males (p = 0.014 and p = 0.004, respectively).
• Weak to moderate correlations were found between increasing age and elevated globulins, FIB, HP, and decreased albumin-to-globulin ratio and albumin.
• Haptoglobin was classified as a minor APP in bongo, contrasting with its major APP status in cows.

Conclusions:

• Quantification of APPs, particularly FIB, shows potential for assessing inflammation in bongo.
• HP appears to be a minor APP in bongo, requiring further investigation.
• Sex-based differences in FIB levels and age-related changes in protein profiles warrant consideration in bongo health assessments.