Morphology of Blood Cells, Liver and Spleen of the Desert Tortoise (Testudo graeca)

Abstract

Abstract:The morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells, the anatomical structure of the liver and spleen were examined in desert tortoise. Forty healthy adult Testudo graeca tortoises, 20 females and 20 males were selected for this study. The tortoises were given thorough examination, and a blood sample was collected from the heart by cardiocentesis. The Wright staining method was used for classification of the blood cells. Seven different types of blood cells were determined: erythrocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and thrombocytes. Mature erythrocytes of captive Testudo graeca were nucleated ellipsoidal cells. Erythrocytes measurements for males were (length 18.76 ± 2.81 m width 9.52 ± 2.23 m) and for females were (length 19.19 ± 2.90 m width 9.84 ± 2.50 m). The heterophil contain large, eosinophilic, ovoid, cytoplasmic granules with eccentric nucleus. The eosinophil is distinguished by its round, eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules and the nucleus is round to oval, single or bi-lobed, and eccentrically placed within the cytoplasm. The basophil was easily identified by its deeply stained purple, large, round granules that remained tightly adhered to the centrally located nucleus. The lymphocyte contained a small amount of blue staining cytoplasm and a round nucleus with a fine reticular pattern. The monocyte contains a large amount of light bluegray, finely granular or vacuolated cytoplasm, and an oval or indented nucleus. Thrombocytes were oval-shaped cells contained round, densely stained nucleus. The liver composed of two lobes, right and left which were connected with a narrow band of connective tissue. The parenchyma of the tortoise liver is seen to be composed of intersinusoidal cords of hepatocytes. The spleen grossly appeared as round or oval structure. The parenchyma (splenic pulp) formed of lymphoid tissue and is of two distinct types; white and red pulps.Overall, this study provides identification of the morphological characteristics of different peripheral blood cells of the tortoise Testudo graeca species as well as the anatomy of the liver and spleen, as a reference for future hematological studies of this species and may be used as a basis for comparison in clinical cases.

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

“…Mature erythrocytes were homogeneous in size, shape and color (Figure 2a). They were nucleated cells with elliptical shape and abundant pale pink cytoplasm like those of the other turtle species (Kassab et al 2009;Orós et al 2010). The violetblue oval or round nucleus with rounded or irregular poles was centrically positioned and had condensed deeply basophilic chromatin.…”

Liver regeneration observed across the different classes of vertebrates from an evolutionary perspective

“…The liver parenchyma also shows many melanomacrophages. In the Nile monitor, it has been observed that the right lobe is the largest lobe, with few melanomacrophages, and the hepatocytes are arranged in tubules surrounded by a sinuous network of sinusoids (Ahmed et al, 2018), as reported by others in the liver of freshwater and desert turtles (Moura et al, 2009;Kassab et al, 2009). Interestingly, the liver of the freshwater turtle has four lobes and melanomacrophages are present, while the terrestrial tortoise has two lobes and has no melanomacrophages.…”

The spleen of Physalaemus nattereri (Amphibia: Anura): morphology, melanomacrophage pigment compounds and responses to α-melanocyte stimulating hormone

“…The spleen morphology of Physalaemus nattereri is similar to that of amphibians and reptiles, with a thick conjunctive capsule of oval shape, and white and red pulps (Scalia et al 2004;Kassab et al 2009). However, the trabecular connective tissue of the capsule which enters into the organ, separating the red and white pulps, was not observed in P. nattereri, as in the turtle Testudo graeca (Kassab et al 2009).…”

“…However, the trabecular connective tissue of the capsule which enters into the organ, separating the red and white pulps, was not observed in P. nattereri, as in the turtle Testudo graeca (Kassab et al 2009). The spleen parenchyma of P. nattereri has thick blood vessels, macrophages and immune cells similar to other vertebrates (Fänge & Nilsson 1985).…”