Histology and Immunohistochemistry of the Cardiac Ventricular Structure in the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas).
This study describes the implications of cardiac ventricular microscopy in Chelonia mydas relating to its ability to dive. For this work, 11 specimens of the marine turtle species C. mydas found dead on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Northeast Brazil) were used. After necropsy, fragments of the cardiac ventricular wall were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution for 24 h and then subjected to routine processing for light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ventricle in this species is formed by the epicardium, myocardium and endocardium. The subepicardial layer consists of highly vascularised connective tissue that emits septa to reinforce the myocardium surface. There is an abundant and diffuse subepicardial nerve plexus shown by immunostaining technique. The thickness of the spongy myocardium and the nature of its trabeculae varied between the heart chambers. The endocardium shows no characteristic elements of the heart conduction system. The valves have a hyaline cartilage skeleton, coated by dense irregular connective tissues characterised by elastic fibres. These findings in the green turtle ventricular microscopy are related to hypoxia resistance during diving.
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Cx. Postal 1524, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, 59072-970, Natal, Brazil.
J K F S
JK
Braz
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Cx. Postal 1524, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, 59072-970, Natal, Brazil.
M L
ML
Freitas
Department of Morphology, Histology Laboratory, Federal University of Amazonas, Av. General Rodrigo Octávio, 6200, Coroado I, 69077-000, Manaus, Brazil.
M S
MS
Magalhães
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Semiárido, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, Brazil.
M F
MF
Oliveira
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Cx. Postal 1524, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, 59072-970, Natal, Brazil.
M S M O
MS
Costa
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Cx. Postal 1524, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, 59072-970, Natal, Brazil.
N S
NS
Resende
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Cx. Postal 1524, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, 59072-970, Natal, Brazil.
N K
NK
Clebis
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Cx. Postal 1524, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, 59072-970, Natal, Brazil.
N B
NB
Silva
Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Semiárido, Av. Francisco Mota, 572, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoró, Brazil.
C E B
CE
Moura
D000818:Animals; D004699:Endocardium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000662:veterinary; D009206:Myocardium; D010496:Pericardium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014426:Turtles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*