title: Osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at different ages.
abstract: Bone turnover markers could offer a potential alternative means for the early diagnosis of metabolic bone disease in young growing elephants although the baseline of bone turnover markers in elephant is not well established. The aim of this study was to determine any relationship between the age of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and markers of bone formation. Serum samples from 24 female Asian elephants were collected to evaluate levels of two bone formation markers, namely, osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Both intact and N-terminal midfragment OC and BAP were negatively correlated with age. The findings demonstrate that younger elephants have a higher rate of bone turnover than older elephants. Use of these and additional bone markers could lead to the establishment of validated protocols for the monitoring of bone disease in elephants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pre-clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand. Electronic address: nlin.ary@mahidol.edu.
authors.forename: Nlin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
authors.forename: Walasinee
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moonarmart
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nareerat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cheewamongkolnimit
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nutcha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Keratikul
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sawinee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poon-Iam
authors.affiliation: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Island, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Routh
authors.affiliation: Thai Elephant Conservation Center under Royal Patronage, Lampang, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pitikarn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bumpenpol
authors.affiliation: Thai Elephant Conservation Center under Royal Patronage, Lampang, Thailand.
authors.forename: Taweepoke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Angkawanish
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D004606:Elephants / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015675:Osteocalcin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
keywords: Bone alkaline phosphatase; Bone markers; Elephas maximus; Osteocalcin