Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Values In Elk Neonates
Barber-Meyer SM and Johnson CR. 2007. Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Values In Elk Neonates. Journal of Mammalogy. 88(2):421-426
Serological indicators of general condition would be helpful for monitoring or assessing ungulate wildlife. Toward that end, we report the 1st reference values for 2 cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), in neonatal elk (Cervus elaphus). We obtained blood samples from 140 calves ≤ 6 days old in Yellowstone National Park during summer 2003-2005. IL-6 values ranged from 0 to 1.21 pg/ml with a median of 0.03 pg/ml. TNF-a values ranged from 0 to 225.43 pg/ml with a median of 1.85 pg/ml. IL-6 and TNF-a concentrations were not significant predictors of elk calf survival through 21 days. Development of ungulate-based IL-6 and TNF-a assays that provide greater sensitivity than cross-reacting human-based assays could be helpful in monitoring ungulate condition and health status comparisons among herds. Such information could provide indirect assessments of range quality or environmental influences among herds.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Barber-Meyer, Shannon; Johnson, Craig
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- cytokine, immunocompetence, interleukin-6, Survival, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Wildlife Health