ESTABLISHMENT OF REFERENCE INTERVAL FOR SYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE IN HAMADRYAS BABOONS (PAPIO HAMADRYAS)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Primate Health
• Clinical Pathology

Background:

• Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an established biomarker for diagnosing kidney disease in small animals.
• Its utility in nonhuman primates requires species-specific reference intervals for accurate assessment.
• Early detection of kidney dysfunction is crucial for timely intervention and improved welfare in captive primates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reference interval for serum SDMA in healthy hamadryas baboons (Papio hamdryas).
• To evaluate SDMA as a potential screening tool for kidney dysfunction in this species.
• To provide data supporting the staging of kidney disease and inform quality-of-life decisions.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 55 clinically healthy hamadryas baboons from two zoological institutions were analyzed.
• Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) levels were measured using the IDEXX SDMA test, a high-throughput immunoassay.
• Reference interval guidelines from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology were applied.

Main Results:

• The established SDMA reference interval for healthy hamadryas baboons is 4 to 11 µg/dL.
• The average SDMA value was 7.7 µg/dL (SD=1.9 µg/dL).
• No significant difference in SDMA levels was observed between male and female baboons.

Conclusions:

• The reference interval of 4-11 µg/dL is critical for interpreting SDMA results in hamadryas baboons.
• Values above 11 µg/dL may indicate elevated kidney disease markers and warrant further investigation.
• Establishing species-specific reference intervals is essential for accurate SDMA interpretation in veterinary diagnostics.