Symmetric Dimethylarginine is a Promising Biomarker for the Early Detection of Age-Related Kidney Dysfunction in Zoo Felids

Abstract Chronic renal failure is one of the leading causes death in African lions, cheetahs, and tigers. Conventional methods to measure dysfunction include measuring serum creatinine blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) measurement a reliable predictor domestic cat because SDMA levels increase early when kidneys are damaged. Serum were assessed correlated with as well BUN from healthy captive Bengal tigers lions at Everland Zoo Korea. concentrations increasingly associated increased age lions. However, higher some young than older ones, which may allow for earlier detection these cats would be alone. In tigers, correlation between was slightly that creatinine. better concentration. These results show concentration can used biomarker age-associated dysfunction. an essential preventive management method zoos.