Blood Cell Morphology and Plasma Biochemistry in Russian Tortoises (Agrionemys horsfieldi)

Blood Cell Morphology and Plasma Biochemistry of Captive Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) and Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)

“…The erythrocytes of Russian tortoises, Agrionemys horsfieldi, were reported to be long or irregular in shape (Knotková et al 2002). Uğurtaş et al (2003) pointed out a positive correlation between erythrocyte size and nucleus size for individuals belonging to families Testudinidae and Emydidae (Testudinidae: r = 0.494, p < 0.001; Emydidae: r = 0.668, p < 0.001).…”

“…When the means of our blood cell values were tested with one sample t-test against the natural M. caspica and M. rivulata population means, the EW, ES EL/EW and NS/ES 169 values were significantly different (p < 0.0001) from those of the captive population. The classification of reptilian leukocytes poses many problems since these cells show morphological variation within the class and several different nomenclatures have been used to describe them (Knotková et al 2002). For example, Taylor and Kaplan (1961) divided leukocytes into neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes on the basis of light microscopy in turtles.…”

“…Saint Girons (1970) reported that thrombocytes were small, oval cells characterized by elongate, centrally located, highly chromophilic nuclei. Knotková et al (2002) identified two types of thrombocytes in Russian tortoises, Agrionemys horsfieldi: oval with a good visible membrane, a faintly stained cytoplasm; and rectangular with small projections of lightly basophilic cytoplasm. They attributed this variability to ageing, function and artifact.…”

“…Various authors have described different circulating blood cells of different reptile species (Duguy 1970;Mateo et al 1984;Canfield and Shea 1988;Knotková et al 2002;Azevedo and Lunardi 2003;Başımoğlu Koca et al 2006;Metin et al 2006). Identification of morphologic characteristics of different peripheral blood cells and plasma biochemistry profile of M. caspica and M. rivulata kept in captivity was the purpose of this study.…”

“…Therefore, the clinical chemistry of lower vertebrates has not achieved the same degree of critical evaluation as demonstrated in domestic mammalian medicine. Many papers characterize the blood of land tortoises (Duguy 1970;Lawrence and Hawkey 1986;Garner et al1996;Muro et al1998;Christopher et al 1999;Knotková et al 2002), however, freshwater turtles are little known as to their haematology and blood biochemistry (Pagés et al 1992;Kölle et al 1999;Uğurtaş et al 2003;Metin et al 2006). Comparative studies of clinically healthy and diseased turtles may provide useful information for their management and conservation (Bolten and Bjorndal 1992;Hasbun et al 1998).…”