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Published on: May 27, 2022
Evaluation of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in healthy bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates)
Rie Kinoshita1, Chika Shirakata2,3, Kenichiro Takubo2
1Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Nihon University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Insights
Establishing reference levels for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in healthy dolphins is crucial for diagnosing cardiac diseases. This study provides vital ANP values for bottlenose dolphin health management and early detection.
Area of Science:
- Marine veterinary medicine
- Cardiology
- Biomarker research
Background:
- Cardiac diseases in dolphins often go undiagnosed due to a lack of standard diagnostic methods.
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a biomarker for cardiac health in humans, but its species specificity is limited.
- Previous research suggests homology between dolphin and human ANP, indicating potential clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference levels for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in healthy bottlenose dolphins.
- To assess the feasibility of using ANP as a diagnostic tool for dolphin cardiac health.
- To lay the groundwork for early detection and treatment of cardiac diseases in dolphins.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from seven healthy female bottlenose dolphins (age 7-30 years) in Japan.
- Each dolphin was sampled at least three times to ensure reliability.
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were measured and analyzed to calculate mean values and standard deviations.
Main Results:
- The mean ANP level in healthy bottlenose dolphins was determined to be 43.4 ± 19.2 pg/mL.
- This study provides the first reference range for ANP in this species.
- The findings establish a baseline for comparison with potentially diseased individuals.
Conclusions:
- The established ANP reference range can aid in the health management of bottlenose dolphins.
- This research supports the potential use of ANP for early detection and treatment of cardiac conditions in dolphins.
- Further studies are warranted to validate ANP as a clinical biomarker in veterinary cardiology for cetaceans.
Abstract:
There are currently no standard methods for diagnosing cardiac diseases in dolphins. These diseases may consequently be overlooked and go undiagnosed. The presence and severity of cardiac diseases in humans can be determined using blood tests. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) used in human cardiac examinations has low species specificity. There have already been reports of homology between dolphin and human ANP; however, its potential for clinical application in dolphins has not been tested. This study was conducted to establish a reference for ANP levels in healthy bottlenose dolphins. Healthy bottlenose dolphins (seven females; estimated to be 7-30 years of age) at an aquarium in Japan were sampled. Each animal was tested for ANP at least three times, and the mean value and standard deviation were calculated to be 43.4 ± 19.2 pg/mL. In humans, patients with high plasma ANP levels have a poor prognosis. In veterinary medicine, cutoff values for the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and heart failure in dogs have been established and used to predict prognosis. The results of the present study may contribute to the health management of bottlenose dolphins, particularly in the early detection and treatment of cardiac diseases.
