Browsing by Author "Gonzalez, B"

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    Haematological and clinical biochemistry findings in captive juvenile guanacos (Lama guanicoe Muller 1776) in central Chile
    (ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2003) Zapata, B; Fuentes, V; Bonacic, C; Gonzalez, B; Villouta, G; Bas, F
    The purpose of this study was to describe haematological and blood biochemistry findings of farmed guanacos in central Chile, in order to establish reference values for this species in captivity. Haematological and clinical biochemical measurements were performed on blood and plasma respectively, from 40 clinically healthy guanacos (20 females and 20 castrated males), aged between 2 and 3 years. The effects of gender and seasons of the year were studied. Gender affected the number of lymphocytes and the ratio of neutrophils: lymphocytes (N/L), with castrated males having a lower number of lymphocytes and higher N/L ratio than females. Seasons of the year affected most variables, presenting greater packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), total protein (TP) and albumin values in winter than the rest of the seasons. White blood cells (WBCs) were not affected by season. Glucose decreased significantly over the year and creatine kinase (CK) activity, like glucose, had a tendency to decrease over the year, which may be related to habituation to sampling and handling. Haematological and clinical biochemistry values given in this study can serve as reference values for juvenile farmed guanacos in central Chile. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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    Phylogeography and subspecies assessment of vicunas in Chile and Bolivia utilizing mtDNA and microsatellite markers: implications for vicuna conservation and management
    (2004) Sarno, RJ; Villalba, L; Bonacic, C; Gonzalez, B; Zapata, B; Mac Donald, DW; O'Brien, SJ; Johnson, WE
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    The effect of transport on cortisol, glucose, heart rate, leukocytes and body weight in captive-reared guanacos (Lama guanicoe)
    (UNIV FEDERATION ANIMAL WELFARE, 2004) Zapata, B; Gimpel, J; Bonacic, C; Gonzalez, B; Riveros, J; Ramirez, A; Bas, F; Macdonald, DW
    Current procedures for ranching and sustainable use of guanacos necessitate their transport. Transportation is a risky process for animals, and is a particular concern for wild-caught or semi-domesticated species such as the guanaco - a wild South American comelid species increasingly being established on forms in Chile and Argentina. This study investigated the effect of transport on the physiological and behavioural responses of eight castrated adult male guanocos, transported on a single 2 h journey at a stocking density of 113.5 kg m(-2) (0.76 m(2) per animal). Plasma cortisol and blood glucose concentration, total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, heart rate, and body weight were measured one week before, immediately before, immediately after, 2 h after and one week after transport. Behavioural responses were recorded during handling prior to loading. Immediately after transport we found significant increases in plasma cortisol concentrations and neutrophil. lymphocyte (N:L) ratio, the latter peaking 2 h after transport. Heart rate increased significantly only during loading, while body weight remained constant throughout. Behavioural responses related to handling (Jumping, vocalising, kicking, spitting and urinating) were not associated with the physiological response. All variables returned to pre-transport values within one week. Transport of guanacos under these conditions produced physiological changes similar to those associated with a mild and transient stress response in other species and which, we judge, fall comfortably within acceptable limits for their welfare.