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Subject: Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine × Author: CHANU, NIKITA THINGOM × End date: 2022 × Start date: 2021 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    HORMONAL AND MINERAL STATUS OF CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (Elephas maximus) UNDER STRESS CONDITION AND ITS MANAGEMENT”
    (College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2021-12) CHANU, NIKITA THINGOM; Mahato, G.
    The present study was conducted to know the hormonal and mineral status of captive Asian elephants of Assam under stress condition by evaluating the stress hormones and related haemato-biochemical parameters. The study areas were Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Orang National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary as well as captive elephants of Sonapur (Guwahati-metro district) area. The captive elephants under different National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary were considered as apparently healthy and their physiological parameters were considered as baseline values for the study. Those captive elephants maintained by private owners of Sonapur area were considered as stressed animals and the stress hormones were evaluated and compared with the free ranging captive elephants of different National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The serum cortisol (nmol/L), T3 (nmol/L) and T4 (nmol/L) concentrations were estimated using radioimmunoassay. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (g/dl), PCV (%), RBC (106/mm³), TLC (10³/mm³) and DLC (%) were also studied manually using standard protocols. Likewise, blood biochemical profiles viz. blood glucose (mg/dl), cholesterol (mg/dl), AST (U/L), ALT (U/L), total protein (g/dl), iron (μg/dl) and phosphorus (mg/dl) were estimated using different diagnostic kits. The mean cortisol concentration was higher and T₃ and T₄ were in low level in elephants of experimental group (captive elephants of private owners) in comparison to the baseline values of free ranging captive elephants of different National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Increase in haemoglobin, PCV, RBC and neutrophils and decrease in lymphocytes were also recorded in experimental group of elephants in comparison to baseline value. Blood biochemical profiles revealed higher level of blood glucose, cholesterol and low level of total protein and iron in privately owned captive elephants. Therapeutic management of stressed elephants was done with Vitamin C injection along with B-complex and liver tonics as supportive therapy. Following treatment, there was significant improvement (p<0.05) in the level of cortisol, T₃ and T₄ hormones. Haematological parameters viz, haemoglobin, PCV, RBC, TLC, neutrophils and lymphocytes showed significant differences (p<0.05) after treatment. Likewise, significant difference (p<0.05) were recorded in blood biochemical values of blood glucose, cholesterol, total protein, iron and phosphorus after treatment. The findings in the present study revealed that management of stress in captive elephants with vitamin C, B-complex vitamins and liver tonics were found to be effective.