HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR FREE-RANGING PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA) IN WEST TEXAS.

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) are considered a keystone species of North American grasslands and an important economic source for many landowners in Texas. Pronghorn restoration projects routinely capture and translocate individuals from surplus populations to restoration areas. The objective of this study was to generate normal hematological and biochemical reference intervals (RI) for free-ranging pronghorn populations in Texas as a health monitoring tool for pronghorn restoration efforts. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture and divided among an EDTA tube, serum separator tube, and a single blood smear on site. Complete blood counts and biochemical profiles were completed at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. In total, 417 individuals (41 males, 376 females) were included in the analysis. RI were determined by robust methods (R Studio) and mixed models' analysis of variance (SPSS 28) to examine differences in blood parameters due to fever, sex, age (adult versus yearling [<1 yr of age]), cell abnormalities, and pathogen exposure reported by the testing laboratory. Sex, age, and pathogen exposure affected mean blood values, but did not warrant development of separate RI by class. Bluetongue virus was identified in 46.8% (195/417) of pronghorns and epizootic hemorrhagic disease in 89.4% (194/217) of pronghorns; 84.8% (184/217) of the pronghorns tested positive for both diseases. This information provides baseline hematology and biochemical parameters to assess the health of free-ranging pronghorn and guide wildlife managers in decision-making for future translocations and restoration objectives.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ACUTE-PHASE PROTEIN AND SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS PRELIMINARY REFERENCE VALUES FOR PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA).

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) are native to western North America and are found in 24 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited institutions. Acute-phase proteins (APP) are a broad class of proteins that are stimulated in response to inflammation and have been shown to be a sensitive measure of inflammation in equids and ruminants. In this study, blood samples from clinically normal free-ranging and captive populations of pronghorn were analyzed using assays for protein electrophoresis (EPH) and APP, including serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP), to develop preliminary ranges to gauge potential differences between these populations. Additional samples were taken from clinically abnormal captive pronghorn with facial abscesses. By EPH measurements, albumin: globulin ratio mean and SE were significantly different (P <0.05) with 1.02 (0.08) for captive populations and 1.91 (0.05) for free-ranging populations. Total protein mean and SE were significantly different (P <0.05) for captive and free-ranging populations, respectively 5.6 (0.3) g/dl and 6.9 (0.1) g/dl. Mean and SD of SAA for captive pronghorn were 1.4 (3.2) mg/L, and were significantly different from the free-ranging population, which was below the limits of detection for (P <0.05). There was no difference in HP levels between these groups. In a case study of a pronghorn with facial abscesses, elevated levels of HP, but not SAA, suggested that HP maybe useful in certain disease states. Future studies should explore the use of these biomarkers as tools to monitor general health, prognosis, and subclinical disease.

Effectiveness of Spayvac for reducing white-tailed deer fertility.

Overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations have been reported in many urban and suburban communities across the United States. Large populations of deer can potentially increase the risk of human-wildlife conflicts, such as deer-vehicle collisions, transmission of disease to humans, and vegetation damage. In 2003, efforts to control white-tailed deer numbers were initiated at the National Aeronautical and Space Agency's (NASA) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, using the long-lasting, single-dose contraceptive SpayVac. Our objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of SpayVac for reducing white-tailed deer fertility and determine the partial cost for treatment. Between 2003 and 2004, we monitored 45 adult female deer (34 treated with SpayVac, 11 controls treated with a placebo). Fawning rate over 2 yr for deer treated with SpayVac >30 days prior to the rut was 0% (n=31), whereas the fawning rate for control deer was 78% (n=11). Inoculation 1 mo prior to the breeding season was sufficient time to achieve fertility control. We conclude that SpayVac can effectively reduce the fertility of urban white-tailed deer.