engleski

Hematological parameters of Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) admitted and recovered in Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Pula

Sea turtles which are brought to the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Pula are being treated until full recovery and release back into the wild. Knowing turtles’ anatomy and physiology is essential for proper treating of sick animals, and one of the useful tool in assessing physiological and healthily condition of the animal is hematology. Because of the differences in hematological parameters between various species of marine turtles as well as the great impact of many intrinsic and extrinsic factors on reptilian hemogram every information on hematology of this species is valuable. Eleven Loggerhead turtles (nine adults and two juveniles) were admitted at Centre at the beginning of 2017 and 2018, because of cold stunning and entanglement in fishing nets. All animals underwent clinical examination and blood sample collection for hematological and biochemical evaluation. All animals stayed in the Centre from 2-7 months. The blood was taken two times: upon the arrival to the Centre and one day before the release into the sea. The blood analysis included: packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), differential white blood cell count and morphological assessment of blood cells. Results showed higher mean (± SD) PCV 37.2% (±7.1) upon the arrival then before releasing 34.3% (±5.3), although the difference was not statistically significant. Heterophils were significantly higher at first sampling 67.5% (±12.0) comparing to the second one 55% (±7.7). There were no signs of left shift. There was a large number of polychromatophils in two juvenile turtles. Slightly higher, but not significantly, PCV values at the acceptance to the Centre were most likely because of the dehydration. Heterophils relative count decreased after rehabilitation which confirmed the correct treatment of the animals. These results will benefit further researchers in better understanding of physiological and pathophysiological variations of hematological parameters in Loggerhead turtles.

hematology ; Loggerhead sea turtles

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