title: Assessment of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for use in evaluating the effects of dietary and environmental management on Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for evaluating effects of diet and environment on bone mineral density in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni).
  
  
  METHODS
  26 Hermann's tortoises within 1 month after hatching.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group 1 was housed in an artificial setting and fed naturally growing vegetation. Group 2 was housed in an artificial setting and fed vegetables grown for human consumption. Group 3 was maintained in an outside enclosure and fed naturally growing vegetation. After 10 months, pyramidal growth, body weight, and adverse conditions were assessed. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the axial and appendicular skeleton, shell, vertebral column, and pelvis was measured via DXA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group 2 had the highest mean ± SD body weight (65.42 ± 30.85 g), followed by group 1 (51.08 ± 22.92 g) and group 3 (35.74 ± 7.13 g). Mean BMD of the shell varied significantly among groups (group 1, 0.05 ± 0.03 g/cm(2)•m; group 2, 0.09 ± 0.15 g/cm(2)•m; and group 3, undetectable). The BMD of the axial and appendicular skeleton, vertebral column, and pelvis did not differ significantly among groups. Pyramidal growth was highest in group 1 and not evident in group 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tortoises raised in artificial conditions did not have deficits in BMD, compared with results for outdoor-housed hibernating tortoises. Supplemental calcium was apparently not necessary when an adequate photothermal habitat and plant-based diet were provided. Higher BMD of captive-raised tortoises was morphologically associated with a higher incidence of pyramidal growth in captive-raised groups.
authors.affiliation: Italian National Research Council, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, 80145 Naples, Italy. matteo.gramanzini@ibb.cnr.it
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gramanzini
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Girolamo
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gargiulo
authors.forename: Adelaide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Natascia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cocchia
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delogu
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rosapane
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liuzzi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Selleri
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunetti
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D006799:Housing, Animal; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*