title: Normal Hemostatic Profiles and Coagulation Factors in Healthy Free-Living Florida Manatees ( Trichechus manatus latirostris).
abstract: Hemostatic disorders presumptively play an important role in the pathophysiology of several important disease conditions in the Florida manatee ( Trichechus manatus latirostris). Prior to pursuing such clinical implications, it is essential to establish normal hemostatic profiles in clinically healthy animals. During annual health assessments of free-living manatees organized by the US Geological Survey, blood samples were collected from 12 healthy animals from the Atlantic coast and 28 from the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida, with body lengths of 210-324 cm. The following analyses were performed on citrated plasma: prothrombin (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and concentrations of fibrinogen, D-dimers, and coagulation factors VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. Compared to other mammalian species, manatees had short PT (9.2±1.5 s) and PTT (10.7±0.5 s), fibrinogen was 369±78.7 mg/dL, antithrombin III was 132±11%, and D-dimer was 142±122 ng/mL. Baseline concentrations for the listed coagulation factors were established. When comparing coagulation factors between locations, Atlantic coast manatees had significantly higher factors VIII, IX, and X than did Gulf Coast manatees. This finding may reflect differences in water salinity, diet, or genetics. There were no differences in coagulation factors when among sexes and sizes. These baselines for hemostatic profiles and coagulation factors in healthy free-living manatees lay the foundation for diagnosis and future research of hemostatic disorders and contribute to understanding their role in the pathophysiology of manatees affected by various diseases.
authors.affiliation: 1 Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W Sligh Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33604, USA.|2 University of Florida, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barratclough
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Florida, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth Francis
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Floyd
authors.affiliation: 3 University of Florida, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, PO Box 100126, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Bobbi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conner
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Florida, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, PO Box 100144, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reep
authors.affiliation: 1 Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W Sligh Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33604, USA.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Florida, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stacy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D005431:Florida; D020457:Trichechus manatus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D
keywords: Coagulation factor; Trichechus manatus latirostris; hemostasis; manatee