Tobin, K., Zimmerman, D., Rasmussen, J., Hilton, C. D., Junge, R. E., Armstrong, D., … & Cray, C. (2020). ESTABLISHMENT OF ACUTE-PHASE PROTEIN AND SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS PRELIMINARY REFERENCE VALUES FOR PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 51(2), 321-325.

Study Highlights:

Acute-phase proteins (APP) are stimulated in response to inflammation. APPs have been shown to be a sensitive marker of inflammation in equids and ruminants.

Blood samples from clinically normal free-ranging and captive populations of pronghorn were analyzed using assays for protein electrophoresis and APP, including serum amyloid A and haptoglobin.

Preliminary reference ranges were developed to gauge differences between captive and wild populations. Additional samples were taken from clinically abnormal captive pronghorn with facial abscesses.

Future studies should explore the use of these biomarkers as tools to monitor general health, prognosis, and subclinical disease.