Anthropometric and blood data on a hand-reared captive Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) calf: A retrospective case report

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus gB-specific antibody levels in sera of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Japanese zoos

Prevalence of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) infections in Asian elephants in Japan was assessed by determination of EEHV gB specific antibody levels. Among 28 healthy Asian (sub) adult elephants from 11 zoos, 27 animals exhibited intermediate to high antibody levels. Like elsewhere worldwide, this suggested exposure of Asian elephants in Japan to at least one EEHV (sub) species. Longitudinal observations of two elephants monitored from birth to 30-month of age showed consistent high antibody levels. Another juvenile showed antibody levels that decreased to undetectable levels prior to death at 13 months of age. This fatal case supports earlier reports that low antibody levels are a risk factor for development of EEHV hemorrhagic disease.

Milk metabolite composition of a semi-captive population of Asian elephants

Lack of maternal milk commonly leads to Asian elephant calves' death in captivity. Currently, available supplements seem inefficient. Hence, we aimed at characterizing the composition of Asian elephant milk to provide information on calves' nutritional needs. Seventy milk samples from 22 Asian elephants living in semi-captivity in their natural environment in Myanmar were collected. Samples were analysed through various techniques including liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, and bicinchoninic acid assay to determine total protein content and various metabolites. Associations with lactation stage (months postpartum) were investigated through repeated measure mixed models. We identified 160 compounds: 22 amino acids, 12 organic acids of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, 27 fatty acids, 15 acyl-carnitines and 84 phospholipids. The milk contained substantial amounts of free glutamate (median: 1727.9, interquartile range (IQR): 1278.4 µmol l-1) and free glycine (2541.7, IQR: 1704.1 µmol l-1). The fatty acid profile was mostly constituted by saturated fatty acids, particularly capric acid (40.1, IQR: 67.3 g l-1). Milk samples also contained high amounts of carnitines, phospholipids and organic acids. The wide array of metabolites identified and quantified, some of which present high concentrations in the milk from this species as opposed to other species, suggests underpinning physiological functions that might be crucial for the survival of Asian elephant calves.

The serum activities of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes measured using two approved methods in zoo-managed Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

The approved Japanese measurement method of circulating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has changed from that of the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC) to that of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). We measured the serum levels of total ALP (t-ALP) and those of the isoenzymes ALP2 and ALP3 in 50 Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) specimens using both methods. The activities determined by the IFCC method were roughly one-third lower than those determined by the JSCC method. We present conversion formulae. Our results enable comparisons of historical and current data on serum ALP activities in endangered, zoo-managed Asian elephants.