McColl K A
J Wildl Dis. 1983 Apr;19(2):118-22. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-19.2.118.
Between 1978 and 1981, 20 platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) which had been held in exhibits for varying periods, were submitted for necropsy. The most common gross and histologic lesions were adrenal enlargement, pulmonary pathology consistent with shock or aspiration pneumonia, intestinal coccidiosis, the presence of trypanosomes, myocarditis and nephritis. Other conditions encountered included infestation with ticks (Ixodes ornithorhynchi), a mild infection of intestinal trematodes (Mehlisia ornithorhynchi), myocardial toxoplasmosis, and focal hepatic necrosis. Adrenal weights, both absolue and relative to body weight, were determined in 12 specimens, and used as parameters of each animal's response to the stress associated with captivity. The results showed that, in platypus held in captivity from about 1 day up to 6 mo, both parameters were higher than in animals which were examined within a few hr of capture. In view of the general lack of conclusive necropsy findings, it was considered that these results indicated that stress may have been a significant underlying factor in the death of these animals in captivity.
1978年至1981年间，20只曾在展览中展出不同时长的鸭嘴兽被提交进行尸检。最常见的大体和组织学病变包括肾上腺肿大、符合休克或吸入性肺炎的肺部病变、肠道球虫病、锥虫的存在、心肌炎和肾炎。遇到的其他情况包括蜱（鸭嘴兽硬蜱）感染、肠道吸虫（鸭嘴兽梅氏吸虫）轻度感染、心肌弓形虫病和局灶性肝坏死。在12个标本中测定了肾上腺重量，包括绝对重量和相对于体重的重量，并将其用作每只动物对圈养相关应激反应的参数。结果表明，在圈养约1天至6个月的鸭嘴兽中，这两个参数均高于捕获后数小时内检查的动物。鉴于尸检结果普遍缺乏确定性，认为这些结果表明应激可能是这些圈养动物死亡的一个重要潜在因素。
