Copper isotopes as possible neoplasia biomarkers in captive wild felids.
Zoo Biol
; 38(4): 371-383, 2019 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31257640
ABSTRACT
The longevity of zoo animals is increasing due to continuous improvement in husbandry and veterinary medicine. However, increasing age is correlated to a higher prevalence of neoplasia. Despite tremendous improvement in diagnoses and monitoring capacities, cancers are still a challenge for veterinarians within the global zoo community. The recent use of copper isotopes as biomarkers for neoplasia in both human and veterinary medicine is a promising and cost-effective diagnostic tool. Two hundred and twenty-nine serum samples from 10 different species of wild felids under human care were processed through mass spectrometry to determine the ratio of heavy and light copper isotopes (65 Cu/63 Cu). The results of this preliminary study exhibit an important variability between felid species, with a ratio ranging between -1.71 and 0.63. Additionally, copper isotopes seem to be a promising diagnostic tool in monitoring cancer in wild animals, as in human medicine, where the isotopic ratio decreases significantly with time in the presence of a tumor.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cobre
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Felidae
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Neoplasias
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article