Comparative hematological and biochemical analysis of giant turtles from the Amazon farmed in poor and normal nutritional conditions.
Comparative hematological and biochemical analysis of giant turtles from the Amazon farmed in poor and normal nutritional conditions.
Author(s): TAVARES-DIAS, M.; OLIVEIRA-JÚNIOR, A. A.; SILVA, M. G.; MARCON, J. L.; BARCELLOS, J. F. M.
Summary: Besides indicating the baseline values of the species, blood parameter assessments of chelonian may also be used as quick tools for diagnosing health status. An investigation was carried out to assess and compare red blood cells parameters, white blood cell (WBC) and total thrombocyte counts and certain blood biochemical parameters for freshwater turtles, Podocnemis expansa Schweigger, 1812 (Pelomedusidae) reared on normal (control group) and poor nutrition (malnourished group). For the malnourished turtles, a signififi cant decrease (P<0.05) in red blood cell counts was found, including hematocrit, plasma glucose, plasma total protein, cholesterol and urea levels, as well as WBC counts, azurophils and heterophils. Malnutrition did not alter the hemostasis, but caused severe normocytic-hypocromic anemia and marked immune depression, which were diagnosed here. This study was the fifi rst to characterize the physiological and immune status of giant turtles from the Amazon under adverse nutritional conditions
Publication year: 2009
Types of publication: Journal article
Unit: Embrapa Amapá
Keywords: Amazonia, Bioquímica animal, Hematologia, Nutrição animal, Podocnemis expansa, Tartaruga
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