DAO 144:197-208 (2021)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03591

ABSTRACT: The physiological demands of pregnancy inevitably result in alterations in both biochemical and hematological parameters as fetal development occurs. The shifts observed in successful pregnancy in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus to support both fetal physiological needs and maternal basal requirements have been established according to each trimester. Detecting aberrations in blood-based biomarkers could help facilitate diagnosis of gestational abnormalities, improve our understanding of factors influencing reproductive outcomes and aid in prediction of reproductive failure. This study retrospectively analyzed 263 blood samples from 15 bottlenose dolphins in 21 failed pregnancies over 28 yr (1989-2017). Most samples remained within normal pregnancy reference ranges; however, significant shifts were observed between trimesters. Hematological alterations, compared to successful pregnancy reference ranges from previously published data, were consistent across failed pregnancies and included an increased prevalence of elevated 2^nd and 3^rd trimester neutrophils, elevated 2^nd trimester monocytes and decreased 3^rd trimester eosinophils. In addition, low hematocrit and low red blood cells were more prevalent in the 2^nd trimester. Biochemical shifts included an increased prevalence of elevated creatine phosphokinase in the 3^rd trimester outside of the normal reference ranges. Across failed pregnancies, calcium and iron were decreased in the 3^rd trimester. Significantly decreased progesterone in the 3^rd trimester was a negative prognostic indicator of pregnancy outcome with decreasing 3^rd trimester progesterone associated with failed pregnancy. This study demonstrates the use of blood-based biomarkers as possible predictors of pregnancy outcome in bottlenose dolphins.

KEY WORDS: Dolphin · Pregnancy · Failure · Blood · Biochemistry · Hematology · Biomarker

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Cite this article as: Barratclough A, Gomez FM, Morey JS, Meegan JM and others (2021) Biochemical and hematological biomarkers of reproductive failure in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Dis Aquat Org 144:197-208. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03591 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn