Tapir Talk Archives

19 November 1997

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    ___  __                   Digest   19 November 1997 - Vol. 1, No. 76
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The Tapir Preservation Fund

The Tapir Gallery: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/
Tapir Talk Archives and Info: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/tt.htm
E-mail: tapir@tapirback.com
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TAPIR TALK   -  19 November 1997   -   Vol. 1, No. 76

Contents of this issue
    1. Request for serum and liver samples re: copper
    2. Correction of Tapir Talk numbering




Return-Path: 
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 16:58:16 -0800
From: "Don Janssen" 
To: tapir@tapirback.com
Subject: Re: tapir copper request
Content-Disposition: inline

REQUEST FOR SERUM AND LIVER SAMPLES FROM TAPIRS
November 17, 1997

We are requesting banked or opportunistically-collected serum and
post-mortem liver samples from captive and free-ranging tapirs of any
species. We are attempting to document the extent of copper deficiency in
captive and free-living tapirs. Samples that we receive will be batched and
sent for analysis of Cu, Zn, Fe, and other minerals. In a preliminary study
using banked serum (n=22) and liver samples (n=3) from tapirs, we have found
extremely low copper levels compared to reference values from domestic
animals. Copper deficiency in domestic animals causes a range of clinical
signs including coat changes, unthriftiness, diarrhea, lameness, anemia,
fractures, low fertility, decreased immune function, and neurologic disease.
This study will determine the extent of copper deficiency in tapirs and to
what extent husbandry and disease occurrence is associated with a
deficiency. Significant findings about copper metabolism in tapirs will help
improve the health of the captive population.

Please send 10 ml of serum or 100 g of liver (frozen at -10 to -20 degrees
C) to:

Donald L. Janssen, DVM, Dipl ACZM
Department of Veterinary Services
San Diego Zoo
1354 Old Globe Way
San Diego, CA 92101 USA
619-557-3933 (office)
619-230-1256 (fax)
djanssen@sandiegozoo.org

Federal express account number available on request. Thank you for
considering this request.

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CORRECTION: The last Tapir Talk (October 29, 1997) was numbered 80. The one
previous to that (October 27) was numbered 74. Somehow in my bronchitis
stupor (now mostly gone), I jumped a few numbers. This current number has
been corrected to 76, and the erroneous 80 will be renumbered to 75 when I
eventually get the last few months of archives on the web.

Sheryl


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Sheryl Todd  ~  The Tapir Gallery  ~  Tapir Preservation Fund    
http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/        tapir@tapirback.com 
Tapir Talk info & archives: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/tt.htm
Deputy Chair, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group
Co-Editor, IUCN/SSC TSG Newsletter
P.O. Box 1432, Palisade, CO 81526 USA    Fax (970) 464-0377
"Promoting the Welfare of Tapirs Everywhere"
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