Seasonal influence on biochemical profile and serum protein electrophoresis for Boa constrictor amarali in captivity

Abstract

Similarly to other reptiles, snakes are ectothermic animals and depend exclusively on the environment for the maintenance of their physiological, biochemical and immunological processes. Thus, changes in biochemical values can be expected due to seasonal influence. Twenty-two adult specimens of Boa constrictor amarali kept in captivity were used. Blood collections were done in two different seasons: winter (July 2004) and summer (January 2005) for the following assays: uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, cholesterol, total protein, and serum protein electrophoresis. The mean biochemical results found in summer and winter, respectively, were: 6.3 ± 3.4 and 11.3 ± 6.2 mg/dL for uric acid; 28.7 ± 12.4 and 20.7 ± 16.2 UI/L for AST; 26.3 ± 17 and 17.4 ± 6.8 mg/dL for glucose; 67.3 ± 30.2 and 69.7 ± 38.5 mg/dL for cholesterol; and 5.9 ± 1.6 and 5.9 ± 1.4 g/dL for total protein. Results regarding electrophoresis in summer and winter, respectively, were: 1.9 ± 0.7 and 2.4 ± 0.6 g/dL for albumin; 0.7 ± 0.2 and 0.5 ± 0.2 g/dL for α-globulin; 1.5 ± 0.5 and 1.7 ± 0.6 g/dL for β-globulin; and 1.8 ± 0.5 and 1.5 ± 0.5 g/dL for γ-globulin. In the summer, there was a significant increase in AST and a decrease in uric acid (p < 0.05). Serum protein electrophoresis showed a significant increase in α-globulin fraction (p < 0.05) in the same season. There were not significant differences between seasons for the remaining variables. Based on these results, the period of the year must be considered in the interpretation of some biochemical values for these animals.

PLASMA ELECTROPHORETIC PROFILES AND HEMOGLOBIN BINDING PROTEIN REFERENCE INTERVALS IN THE EASTERN BOX TURTLE (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) AND INFLUENCES OF AGE, SEX, SEASON, AND LOCATION

“…2,13 Similar studies have also shown that precipitation, temperature, and season can play a role in plasma protein alterations. 8,21,31 Significantly higher levels of Hp, TP, albumin, and globulins were detected in Illinois eastern box turtles compared with Tennessee eastern box turtles. These differences may be due to an unintentional sampling bias, as an increased number of turtles were sampled in Tennessee versus Illinois.…”

“…Variations of various blood parameters due to age, sex, season, and geographical location have been previously reported in other reptilian species, and this trend was also suggested in our analysis of APPs and electrophorectic profiles and reinforces the need to interpret results in this context. 8,13,14,21,31 Higher concentrations of total protein and albumin were detected in the summer. As summer tends to be one of the more active seasons for the eastern box turtle, these seasonal trends may be attributable to reproductive influences as well as other potential causes of acute inflammation such as traumatic events, or interactions with other turtles (i.e., male fighting behavior).…”

Variations of plasma protein electrophoresis in healthy captive Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana)

“…Variability in the results of plasma protein electrophoresis in reptiles is to a certain extent conditioned by a significant effect of external factors that affect reptilian metabolism. For instance, there was a significant difference between α globulin concentrations measured in summer and winter in Boa Constrictor ( Boa constrictor amarali ) . A study on the plasma chemistry of Hermann's tortoises ( Testudo hermanni ) reported significant changes of biochemical variables during the year; however, for total protein neither sex‐related nor seasonal differences could be found .…”

Serum Biochemical Reference Values for Adult and Non-adult Chinese Alligators during the Deep and Late Hibernation Periods

“…It has been reported that chronic renal disease in reptiles is associated with the elevation of plasma phosphorus concentrations, alternation of the calcium: phosphorus ratio, an increase in plasma UA concentrations [4,13,14,20], and the notable decrease of albumin caused by its quantitative loss from the damaged kidney. As such, these changes, as well as immune system hyperactivity and elevation of immune globulin concentrations, provide supporting evidence for the diagnosis of possible renal disease in reptiles.…”