Identification of Serum and Tissue Biomarkers for Cardiomyopathy in the Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis)

Résumé

The Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada’s most endangered mammal, with only 143 marmots in captivity and about 55 remaining in the wild. In captivity, degenerative myocardial changes, including significant fibrosis, has been identified histologically in 48% of deaths. In other mammalian species these cardiac changes have been associated with dietary deficiencies in taurine, carnitine, vitamin E, or selenium. Other markers for heart disease have included troponin 1, glutathione, copper, and zinc. This study will measure serum levels of these biomarkers in captive and wild Vancouver Island Marmots. It will also compare hepatic and cardiac samples from deceased marmots with heart disease, and those that had normal hearts to compare levels of taurine, carnitine, selenium, and vitamin E. The study will help establish normal serum and tissue levels for the species, and look for a potential relationship between serum and tissue levels and cardiac pathology. In addition, the study will compare the captive population to their free-ranging counterparts. This information will help captive breeding facilities monitor serum levels of these values and help make dietary modifications that may control the progression of associated heart disease.