Serum biochemistry reference intervals of live wild dugongs (Dugong dugon) from urban coastal Australia

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the baseline clinical pathology of the dugong (Dugong dugon), a vulnerable marine mammal found in tropical coastal marine systems. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to collect and determine refer- ence intervals (RI) for select serum biochemical variables for dugongs, and to analyze differences between males and females and different age groups. Methods: Reference intervals were established from 103 apparently healthy, wild-caught dugongs for 31 analytes using a Beckman Coulter AU400 Automated Chemistry Analyzer and an Olympus AU680 Chemis- try-Immuno Analyzer. Results: Significant differences (P < .05) in some of the variables were found related to size class, sex, and pregnancy status. Adult dugongs had higher serum sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, glucose, and L-lactate con- centrations and higher anion gap, compared to sub-adults. Male dugongs had higher triglyceride and L-lactate concentrations than females. Pregnant females displayed higher L-lactate levels compared to nonpregnant ani- mals. Statistical differences in variables within the population contributed to better understanding of the physiologic differences between cohorts. Some serum biochemistry changes observed in this study here also poten- tially include some effects of pursuit on dugongs (eg, higher L-lactate); however, as all dugongs were subject to similar capture and handling, serum biochemistry RI should be considered as normal for captured dug- ongs. Conclusions: The serum biochemical RI documented here are considered representative of a population of healthy captured dugongs. They provide a baseline for health surveillance of this and other dugong populations.