Data from: Serum biochemistry panels in African buffalo: Defining reference intervals and assessing variability across season, age and sex

Serum biochemical parameters can be utilized to evaluate the physiological status of an animal, and relate it to the animal’s health. In order to accurately interpret individual animal biochemical results, species-specific reference intervals (RI) must be established. Reference intervals for biochemical parameters differ between species, and physiological differences including reproductive status, nutritional resource availability, disease status, and age affect parameters within the same species. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish RI for biochemical parameters in managed African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), (2) assess the effects of age, sex, pregnancy, and season on serum biochemistry values, and (3) compare serum biochemistry values from a managed herd to a free-ranging buffalo herd and to values previously published for captive (zoo) buffalo. Season profoundly affected all biochemistry parameters, possibly due to changes in nutrition and disease exposure. Age also affected all biochemical parameters except gamma glutamyl transferase and magnesium, consistent with patterns seen in cattle. Sex and reproductive status had no detectable effects on the parameters that were measured. The biochemical profiles of managed buffalo were distinct from those observed in the free-ranging herd and captive buffalo. Biochemical differences between buffalo from captive, managed, and free-ranging populations may be related to nutritional restriction or lack of predation in the context of management or captivity. The reference intervals provided in this study, in addition to the seasonal and age-related patterns observed, provide a foundation for health investigations that may inform management strategies in this ecologically and economically important species.

血清生化参数可用于评估动物的生理状态，并与动物健康状况紧密关联。为准确解读单只动物的生化检测结果，必须建立物种特异性参考区间（reference intervals, RI）。不同物种的生化参数参考区间存在显著差异，而同物种内部的各类生理差异——包括繁殖状态、营养资源可获得性、疾病状态以及年龄——均会对各项生化参数产生影响。
本研究的目标如下：（1）建立人工管理饲养非洲水牛（Syncerus caffer）的生化参数参考区间；（2）评估年龄、性别、妊娠状态及季节对血清生化指标的影响；（3）将人工管理饲养牛群的血清生化指标，与自由放养水牛种群的指标以及此前已发表的圈养（动物园）水牛相关指标进行对比。
研究结果显示：季节对所有生化参数均存在显著影响，这可能与营养状况变化及疾病暴露风险改变相关。除γ-谷氨酰转移酶与镁离子外，年龄同样对所有生化参数存在影响，这与牛类中已观察到的变化规律一致。性别与繁殖状态对本次检测的各项参数无可检测到的显著影响。人工管理饲养水牛的生化谱与自由放养种群及圈养水牛的结果存在显著差异。圈养、人工管理饲养与自由放养水牛种群间的生化差异，可能与饲养或圈养环境下的营养限制或缺乏捕食压力有关。
本研究提供的参考区间，结合本次观察到的季节与年龄相关变化模式，可为这一兼具生态与经济重要性物种的健康调查及管理策略制定提供重要的理论基础。