Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)

The diagnostic utility and reference intervals for blood studies in Aldabra giant tortoises (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>) are not well described. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been evaluated in non-mammalian vertebrates and shows a higher fraction resolution and less overall...

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Main Authors: Allison E. Dianis, Kimberly A. Thompson, Ronan Eustace, Jeny Soto, Carolyn Cray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/6/1/5
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author Allison E. Dianis
Kimberly A. Thompson
Ronan Eustace
Jeny Soto
Carolyn Cray
author_facet Allison E. Dianis
Kimberly A. Thompson
Ronan Eustace
Jeny Soto
Carolyn Cray
author_sort Allison E. Dianis
collection DOAJ
description The diagnostic utility and reference intervals for blood studies in Aldabra giant tortoises (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>) are not well described. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been evaluated in non-mammalian vertebrates and shows a higher fraction resolution and less overall variation in results than agarose gel electrophoresis. To date, the investigation of novel biomarkers has been limited in reptiles. MRP-126, a calgranulin homologue in reptiles, has not been evaluated for its diagnostic potential in tortoises. The goals of this study were to establish preliminary reference intervals for CZE protein electrophoresis and to examine MRP-126 as a potential biomarker of inflammation in Aldabra giant tortoises. In 27 clinically healthy tortoises, CZE resolved seven protein fractions. In tortoises with an inflammatory or infectious disease process (n = 4), MRP-126 concentrations and CZE fractions did not consistently increase or were abnormal. To strengthen the understanding of the diagnostic value of CZE and MRP-126 concentration in this species, future studies should evaluate a larger sample set inclusive of repeated measures of clinically abnormal tortoises as well as CZE and MRP-126 variations in regard to additional health conditions, age, sex, season, and geographic location.
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spelling doaj-art-eaa1819a4ebd4e1dba30f25552d273da2025-08-20T02:42:35ZengMDPI AGJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens2673-56362025-01-0161510.3390/jzbg6010005Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)Allison E. Dianis0Kimberly A. Thompson1Ronan Eustace2Jeny Soto3Carolyn Cray4Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, MI 49014, USABinder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, MI 49014, USAPotter Park Zoo, Lansing, MI 48912, USADivision of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USADivision of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USAThe diagnostic utility and reference intervals for blood studies in Aldabra giant tortoises (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>) are not well described. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been evaluated in non-mammalian vertebrates and shows a higher fraction resolution and less overall variation in results than agarose gel electrophoresis. To date, the investigation of novel biomarkers has been limited in reptiles. MRP-126, a calgranulin homologue in reptiles, has not been evaluated for its diagnostic potential in tortoises. The goals of this study were to establish preliminary reference intervals for CZE protein electrophoresis and to examine MRP-126 as a potential biomarker of inflammation in Aldabra giant tortoises. In 27 clinically healthy tortoises, CZE resolved seven protein fractions. In tortoises with an inflammatory or infectious disease process (n = 4), MRP-126 concentrations and CZE fractions did not consistently increase or were abnormal. To strengthen the understanding of the diagnostic value of CZE and MRP-126 concentration in this species, future studies should evaluate a larger sample set inclusive of repeated measures of clinically abnormal tortoises as well as CZE and MRP-126 variations in regard to additional health conditions, age, sex, season, and geographic location.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/6/1/5Aldabra giant tortoise<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>biomarkercapillary zone electrophoresisMRP-126protein electrophoresis
spellingShingle Allison E. Dianis
Kimberly A. Thompson
Ronan Eustace
Jeny Soto
Carolyn Cray
Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)
Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Aldabra giant tortoise
<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>
biomarker
capillary zone electrophoresis
MRP-126
protein electrophoresis
title Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)
title_full Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)
title_fullStr Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)
title_full_unstemmed Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)
title_short Preliminary Reference Intervals for Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Fractions and an Examination of MRP-126 as a Potential Marker of Inflammation in the Aldabra Giant Tortoise (<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>)
title_sort preliminary reference intervals for capillary zone electrophoresis fractions and an examination of mrp 126 as a potential marker of inflammation in the aldabra giant tortoise i aldabrachelys gigantea i
topic Aldabra giant tortoise
<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea</i>
biomarker
capillary zone electrophoresis
MRP-126
protein electrophoresis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/6/1/5
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