Hematologic and Serum Biochemical Values of Gravid Freshwater Australian Chelonians

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Hematologic and serum biochemical analyses were performed on 30 wild-caught, gravid, Australian freshwater chelonians. Species sampled were western long-necked turtles (Chelodina oblonga; n513), common long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis; n58), and Murray River turtles (Emydura macquarii; n59). Turtles were obtained from Lake Goolellal in Perth, Western Australia (C. oblonga), and Lake Coranderrk in Healesville, Victoria (C. longicollis and E. macquarii). All turtles were considered healthy at the time of sample collection. Blood results were similar to those reported in other freshwater chelonians, with the exception of elevated calcium levels in all species. Hypercalcemia was attributed to egg development and maturation. A hemoparasite morphologically resembling Haemogregarina clelandi was found in all C. oblonga samples and in four C. longicollis samples. Infection with H. clelandi appeared to have no physiological effects on blood parameters or morphometrics of infected turtles. Blood parameters were also considered poor indicators of female chelonian morphometrics and fecundity.

Morphological characterization of the blood cells in the endangered Sicilian endemic pond turtle,Emys trinacris(Testudines: Emydidae)

“…Blood cell parameters of reptiles may be influenced by several factors, such as age, sex, seasonality, reproduction, nutritional status and environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen and light (Dessauer 1970;Duguy 1970;Frye 1991;Wilkinson 2003;Tavares-Dias et al 2009;Yilmaz & Tosunoglu 2010;Gu et al 2011;Scheelings & Jessop 2011;Tosunoglu et al 2011;Scheelings & Rafferty 2012); these parameters can vary through the annual cycle and throughout the life of the individuals. Studies that describe chelonian blood cells are rare and the data are often in contradiction because of the lack of standard criteria used to categorize blood cells (Work et al 1998).…”

Pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of an oral pradofloxacin suspension administered to eastern long‐necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis)

“…All ten turtles were clinically healthy throughout the entire study period, displaying normal behavior and food intake and maintaining body weight. The average ± SD weight for all ten turtles was 804.9 ± 300.15 g. All hematological and biochemical measures were considered to be within acceptable limits for chelonians (Scheelings & Rafferty, 2012; Species360, 2020). Following the 7‐d period of daily dosing with pradofloxacin, there was a statistically significant decrease in sodium (135.5 ± 0.8 versus 133.2 ± 1.7 mmol/L), and significant increases in WCC (9.0 ± 1.4 versus 12.5 ± 2.1 × 10 9 /L), lymphocytes (5.5 ± 1.2 versus 7.9 ± 2.4 × 10 9 /L), and Cl (103.2 ± 3.3 versus 106.2 ± 1.1 mmol/L), in the six treated turtles.…”

No correlation between microbiota composition and blood parameters in nesting flatback turtles (Natator depressus)

“…Haematology and biochemistry parameters in reptiles are dynamic, and change considerably in response to a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as age, sex, reproductive status, nutrition, climate, and season 20,30,[74][75][76][77] . These changes are not necessarily representative of changes in health status, but are more reflective of the body's response to altered physiological state.…”