SREL Reprint #3339

Influence of collection time on hematologic and immune markers in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

John W. Finger Jr.1,2, Robert J. Williams3, Matthew T. Hamilton2, Ruth M. Elsey4,
Victor A. Oppenheimer3, Steven D. Holladay3, and Robert M. Gogal Jr.3

1Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
3Department of Biosciences & Diagnostic Imaging, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
4Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Grand Chenier, Louisiana, USA

Abstract: Crocodilians are important keystone species and indicators of environmental health. Much remains unknown, however regarding utility of field-collected crocodilian blood samples for ecologic assessments. Field sampling sites are also often distant to analysis centers, necessitating development of new techniques and panels of assays that will yield environmentally relevant data. Stability and viability of hematological and immunological indices have been of particular interest for linking ecosystem health to biomarkers in resident species. In this study, we investigated the effect of time at analysis post-blood sampling at 4 and 24 hr on a panel of potential biomarkers in alligator blood. Our results suggest alligator blood samples can be reliably evaluated for both hematologic and immunologic profile 24 hr after sampling.

Keywords: alligator, blood collection, hematology, lymphocyte separation, proliferation, time

SREL Reprint #3339

Finger Jr., J. W., R. J. Williams, M. T. Hamilton, R. M. Elsey, V. A. Oppenheimer, S. D. Holladay, and R. M. Gogal Jr. 2015. Influence of collection time on hematologic and immune markers in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry 36(5): 496-509.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).