Evaluation and Interpretation of the Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow of Reptiles

Influence of Season, Environment, and Sex on Selected Blood Parameters of Geoffroy's Side-Necked Turtles, Phrynops Geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812)

“…On the other hand, the increase in the amount of both erythrocytes and PCV may occur in cases of dehydration, which also leads to increased total plasma protein in chelonians. 4,13,27 In the individuals that took part in the study, no alterations related to anemia or dehydration were observed, and the TS and MCV values did not present significant differences between individuals from the urban stream or captivity.…”

“…Erythrocytes (RBC) and PCV were higher in individuals living in captivity. Many factors, such as changes in the climatic conditions of the environment, physiologic status of the individual, age, availability of food or diet, 13 are able to interfere with the total amount of erythrocytes. Consequently, in the PCV of reptiles, as reported in the South American River Turtle ( Podocnemis expansa ; Family Podocnemididae), individuals with a balanced diet had significantly higher amounts of RBC and PCV when compared with the group that received a nutritionally poor diet.…”

“…Differences in a leukogram may occur broadly across reptile species but can occur within the same genus as well; different variables, such as sex, age, seasonality, geographic distribution, ecologic effects, and pathologic conditions, may affect the leukogram of the individual reptile. 13…”

“…In Trachemys scripta scripta in Spain, the differential leukocyte count was highly influenced by season, but differences between males and females were not noticed. 13 The immune system of reptiles is influenced by the seasonal cycle, produces changes in the histology of the lymphoid organs, and, consequently, in leukocyte function. 36 In addition to Trachemys scripta scripta , this fact has been demonstrated in other species of freshwater turtles, such as Podocnemis uni fi lis in Peru 17 and O. sinensis in Taiwan.…”

“…Here, the differential leukocyte count was performed in a manual counter totaling 200 cells per blood smear. 13 Absolute values (AV) and relative values (RV) were recorded for heterophils (Het), basophils (Bas), eosinophils (Eos), lymphocytes (Ly), and monocytes (Mon). 13,27 With a differential leukocyte count, it was possible to calculate the H:L ratio that is commonly used to assess stress in reptiles and birds.…”