Non-Invasive Quantification of Immunoglobulin A in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Gombe National Park, Tanzania
Disease plays a critical role in chimpanzee conservation efforts. Nearly half of all deaths recorded in chimpanzee communities have been attributed to Illness, so it is crucial to be able to monitor the animal’s health status. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an important antibody in most mammals’ immune systems and, as a result, it can be a good indicator of the effects of long-term stress in a variety of species, including chimpanzees. The use of IgA as a health indicator has been complicated however, by a preference for non-invasive practices when monitoring the health of wild animals.
A recent study has tested a new, non-invasive strategy for measuring IgA levels in chimpanzees using fecal samples. The researchers tested the impact of stress hormones on the IgA levels of a captive chimp. They also tested the feces of wild chimps at the Gombe Stream Research Centre to compare IgA across multiple variables like age, sex and season. To read more about the methods and results of the study, click here.
