Biology subjects

Chetboul, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Chetboul, V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Feasibility of Baseline Cardiac Investigation in Awake Elephants (Elephas maximus) Using Transthoracic Echocardiography: the BIG HEART study

IntroductionCardiovascular diseases are relatively common in elephants, but most cases are diagnosed only postmortem. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is widely used in domestic and captive animals, although its application in elephants has not yet been established. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of performing TTE in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), to develop a standardized procedure to optimize image quality, and to assess measurement variability. Materials and MethodsPreliminary trials were conducted in ten elephants, including seven free-ranging animals in Cambodia and three captive elephants in France. These led to a standardized TTE protocol based on cooperative training and positive reinforcement. Key refinements included the exclusive use of a left parasternal approach, soaking the thoracic skin with lukewarm water before application of coupling gel, and extension of the left forelimb over a training ball to optimize access to the acoustic window. Each examination included two LV views: a long-axis view for M-mode measurements and a short-axis view for two-dimensional (2D) analysis. A total of 72 examinations were performed on 4 days on three elephants, with offline assessment of eight 2D and M-mode variables, including two indices of LV function (shortening fraction and fractional area change). A general linear model was used to determine within-day and between-day coefficients of variation. ResultsAll examinations were successfully completed without anesthesia or restraint. Within-day and between-day variability were low for all parameters (coefficients of variation <10%), while interindividual variability was higher (5%-19.6%). DiscussionLV dimensions and systolic function can be assessed in awake Asian elephants with excellent repeatability and reproducibility. ConclusionsThe validated TTE procedure developed here enables longitudinal cardiac monitoring in captive Asian elephants without anesthesia, providing a unique opportunity for the antemortem diagnosis of left-sided heart disease and facilitating future comparative and conservation studies in this endangered species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2022

Body condition score and triglyceride concentrations and their associations with other markers of energy homeostasis in healthy, non-obese dogs

Serum triglyceride concentrations increase in dogs in overweight condition, which is typically assessed by body condition score (BCS). However, their associations with other markers of energy homeostasis are poorly characterized. The present study aimed to evaluate the associations between both BCS and triglyceride levels and other markers of lipid and glucose metabolism in healthy dogs in overweight condition. 534 overweight, but otherwise healthy, client-owned dogs were included. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, insulin, glucose and fructosamine were measured. Dogs were assigned to lean (BCS: 3-5) or overweight (BCS: 6-7) categories, and linear models were used to assess the differences between BCS categories and the associations between triglycerides and the other variables, correcting for the effect of breed. Globally, "overweight" dogs had greater serum cholesterol (95% CI: 5.3-6.2 mmol/L or 205-237 mg/dL versus 5.1-5.4 mmol/L or 198-210 mg/dl, P = .003), insulin (95% CI: 17.5-22.1 U/ml versus 16.7-18.0 U/ml, P = .036) and were older (95% CI: 4.0-5.3 versus 3.4-3.7 years, P = .002) than lean dogs. Triglyceride concentrations were positively associated with fructosamine (r2 = 0.31, P = .001), cholesterol (r2 = 0.25, P < .001), insulin (r2 = 0.14, P = .003) and glucose (r2 = 0.10, P = .002), and negatively associated with free fatty acids (r2 = 0.11, P < .001). There was no association between triglyceride levels and age. In conclusion, both BCS and triglyceride concentrations were associated with other markers of glucose and lipid metabolism in overweight, but otherwise healthy dogs. Triglyceride concentrations were associated with an increase in insulin and fructosamine that might reflect an early-phase impairment in glucose tolerance which, surprisingly, was concurrent with lower basal free fatty acids.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2021

{-}CardiOvascular examination in awake Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus): Low-stress Echocardiography including Speckle Tracking imaging (the COOLEST method)

IntroductionCardiovascular diseases have been identified as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Borneo orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus). Transthoracic echocardiography is usually performed under anesthesia in great apes, which may be stressful and risky in cardiac animals. The aim of the present pilot study was hence to develop a quick and non-stressful echocardiographic method (i.e., the COOLEST method) in awake Borneo orangutans (CardiOvascular examination in awake Orangutans: Low-stress Echocardiography including Speckle Tracking imaging) and assess the variability of corresponding variables. Materials and MethodsFour adult Borneo orangutans trained to present their chest to the trainers were involved. A total of 96 TTE examinations were performed on 4 different days by a trained observer examining each orangutans 6 times per day. Each examination included four two-dimensional views, with offline assessment of 28 variables (i.e., two-dimensional (n=12), M-mode and anatomic M-mode (n=6), Doppler (n=7), and speckle tracking imaging (n=3)), representing a total of 2,688 measurements. A general linear model was used to determine the within-day and between-day coefficients of variation. ResultsMean{+/-}SD (minimum-maximum) images acquisition duration was 3.8{+/-}1.6 minutes (1.3-6.3). All within-day and between-day coefficients of variation but one (n=55/56, 98%) were <15%, and most (51/56, 91%) were <10% including those of speckle tracking systolic strain variables (2.7% to 5.4%). DiscussionHeart morphology as well as global and regional myocardial function can be assessed in awake orangutans with good to excellent repeatability and reproducibility. ConclusionsThis non-stressful method may be used for longitudinal cardiac follow-up in awake orangutans.

zoology↗