title: Microchip transponder thermometry for monitoring core body temperature of antelope during capture.
abstract: Hyperthermia is described as the major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with capture, immobilization and restraint of wild animals. Therefore, accurately determining the core body temperature of wild animals during capture is crucial for monitoring hyperthermia and the efficacy of cooling procedures. We investigated if microchip thermometry can accurately reflect core body temperature changes during capture and cooling interventions in the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), a medium-sized antelope. Subcutaneous temperature measured with a temperature-sensitive microchip was a weak predictor of core body temperature measured by temperature-sensitive data loggers in the abdominal cavity (R(2)=0.32, bias >2 °C). Temperature-sensitive microchips in the gluteus muscle, however, provided an accurate estimate of core body temperature (R(2)=0.76, bias=0.012 °C). Microchips inserted into muscle therefore provide a convenient and accurate method to measure body temperature continuously in captured antelope, allowing detection of hyperthermia and the efficacy of cooling procedures.
authors.affiliation: Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa. Electronic address: benjamin.rey@univ-lyon1.fr.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.affiliation: Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa. Electronic address: andrea.fuller@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.affiliation: Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa. Electronic address: robyn.hetem@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Robyn S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hetem
authors.affiliation: Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa. Electronic address: Hilary.lease@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Hilary M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lease
authors.affiliation: Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa. Electronic address: duncan.mitchell@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa; Department of Paraclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: Leith.Meyer@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Leith C R
authors.initials: LCR
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation; D062125:Thermometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Biologging; Chemical immobilization; Hyperthermia; Stress; Ungulate