Hematology and plasma biochemistry analytes in five age groups of immature, captive-reared loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).
Abstract: Blood samples of 85 immature, apparently healthy, captive-reared loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were analyzed for 13 hematologic variables and total solids of 5 age groups (8, 20, 32, 44, and 56 mo old) and for 20 plasma biochemical analytes of 4 age groups (20 to 56 mo old). Each individual turtle was sampled under similar conditions during a blood collection period of 3 days. Hematologic analytes included packed cell volume, white blood cell (WBC) counts, WBC estimates, and leukocyte differentials. Biochemical analysis included albumin, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, creatine kinase, creatinine, gamma glutamyltransferase, globulins, glucose, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, total bilirubin, total protein, total solids, and uric acid. In due consideration of small sample size in all five age groups, the results of hematologic and biochemical analysis were used to determine ranges for these analytes and to compare values among consecutive age groups. Several significant differences in some hematologic and biochemical variables were identified and need to be considered in the interpretation of blood work of immature, growing sea turtles in human care.
Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, Texas 79416, USA.
Estelle
E
Rousselet
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Nicole I
NI
Stacy
Houston Zoo, Inc., 1513 Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Kara
K
LaVictoire
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, Texas 77551, USA.
Benjamin M
BM
Higgins
Houston Zoo, Inc., 1513 Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Maryanne E
ME
Tocidlowski
Houston Zoo, Inc., 1513 Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Joseph P
JP
Flanagan
Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Lubbock, Texas 79416, USA.
Céline A J
CA
Godard-Codding
D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D012016:Reference Values; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood*