Ultrasonic Bone Assessment in Tursiops Truncatus: A Proposed Means for Monitoring Marine Ecosystem Health
Sponsor
This work was sponsored by the Small Business Innovation ResearchProgram of the National Science Foundation and the Association of Zoos andAquariums Conservation Endowment Fund
Published In
Ultrasonic Characterization of Bone (ESUCB), 2015 6th European Symposium on
Document Type
Citation
Publication Date
5-1-2015
Abstract
In order to circumvent limitations in traditional radiographic bone density assessment, a custom quantitative ultrasound device and protocols were developed for assessment of live bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. In laboratory measurements on disarticulated pectoral flippers collected post-mortem, a strong correlation was established between bone mineral density (BMD) as measured with quantitative ultrasound and X-ray (r=0.93). A primary target skeletal site in the radius of the dolphin pectoral fin was comprehensively defined. BMD distribution patterns throughout the radius were characterized and a single region of interest (ROI) with a high correlation to the density of the overall bone (r=0.98) was selected. Statistical tests demonstrated no statistically significant differences in any subset based on sex, age, total body length, handedness, nutritional status, or geographical affinity, supporting inclusion of all specimens as a normative reference dataset for bone density in bottlenose dolphins. Initial trials to develop clinical protocols and establish ultrasound of bone as truly non-invasive were conducted on captive dolphins. Successful assessments were subsequently conducted to ultrasonically assess BMD in wild dolphins during capture-release health assessments.
Locate the Document
DOI
10.1109/ESUCB.2015.7169894
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/22098
Publisher
IEEE
Citation Details
Powell, J., Luo, G., & Kaufman, J. J. (2015, June). Ultrasonic bone assessment in Tursiops truncatus a proposed means for monitoring marine ecosystem health. In Ultrasonic Characterization of Bone (ESUCB), 2015 6th European Symposium on (pp. 1-4). IEEE.