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A Comparison of Blood Biochemical Parameters as a Tool to Measure Welfare in Free-ranging Red Deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) after Chemical and Physical Restraint

Mariti, Chiara; Iacobelli, Francesca; Ricci, Eva; Fusi, Marco; Mengoli, Manuel; Cozzi, Alessandro; Gazzano, Angelo

Authors

Chiara Mariti

Francesca Iacobelli

Eva Ricci

Marco Fusi

Manuel Mengoli

Alessandro Cozzi

Angelo Gazzano



Abstract

Eighteen red deer were captured in box traps and then physically restrained in an immobilizing box; three red deer were captured twice, once by chemical restraint (anesthetized with a mixture of Xylazine, Tiletamine and Zolazepam) and once in the immobilizing box. It was found that microhaematocrit, total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, as well as plasma cortisol, were higher after the physical restraint. Anserine and 3-methyl-L-histidine concentrations were higher after the physical restraint in animals undergoing both captures. Data supports previous studies indicating that the physical restraint after cap-ture is more stressful than the chemical one. Anserine and 3-methyl-L-histidine were higher after the physical restraint in red deer undergoing both methods, suggesting that measuring plasma aminoacyl–imidazole dipeptides and their components may be important in stressed animals prone to capture myopathy.

Citation

Mariti, C., Iacobelli, F., Ricci, E., Fusi, M., Mengoli, M., Cozzi, A., & Gazzano, A. (2019). A Comparison of Blood Biochemical Parameters as a Tool to Measure Welfare in Free-ranging Red Deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) after Chemical and Physical Restraint. Current Science, 116(2), 319-325. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v116/i2/319-325

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 28, 2018
Online Publication Date Jan 25, 2019
Publication Date 2019-01
Deposit Date Apr 27, 2020
Journal Current Science
Print ISSN 0011-3891
Publisher Indian Academy of Sciences
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 116
Issue 2
Pages 319-325
DOI https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v116/i2/319-325
Keywords Aminoacyl–imidazole dipeptides, anesthesia, animal welfare, red deer, restraint, stress
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2654919