Comparisons among selected neonatal biomedical parameters of four species of semi-free ranging hippotragini: Addax (Addax nasomaculatus), scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), and sable antelope (Hippotragus niger)

Basic biomedical data from 164 neonates of four species of the tribe Hippot ragini, addax (Addax nasomaculatus). scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), Ar abian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), and sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), were co mpared at one zoological institution over a 9-year period. Measured biomedi cal parameters included body weight, temperature, pulse and respiratory rat es, packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein, glucose, IgG assessment via zinc sulfate turbidity, and white blood cell count with differential. All species were maintained in a semi-free ranging setting with the same di et, available shelter, and opportunity for social interaction. Based on cli nical and field observations, all neonates used in the study were believed to be at least 24 hr old, to have bonded with the dam, and to have no obvio us physical abnormalities. Median body weights were similar only in the add ax and Arabian oryx with sable antelope having the largest median body weig ht. No significant differences in rectal temperatures or pulse rates were f ound among species. Median respiratory rates were similar between certain g roups. Arabian oryx and scimitar-horned oryx shared the highest packed cell volumes while the sable antelope had the lowest. Sable antelope had the hi ghest median total plasma protein with no significant differences among the other species. Sable were also significantly lower in median blood glucose than the three other Hippotraginae. Zinc sulfate turbidities in all specie s were similar. Addax had higher median total white blood cell counts than sable. No significant differences in the median numbers of segmented neutro phils, band neutrophils, and eosinophils were detected among species. Basop hils were only found in the scimitar-horned oryx in one animal. Addax had h igher median lymphocyte counts than sable and Arabian oryx as well as highe r median monocyte counts than sable. All four species exhibited higher medi an counts of neutrophils compared with lymphocytes. The biomedical differen ces observed highlight the importance of having an accurate database of cli nical normal values against which to evaluate neonatal health. (C) 2001 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.