Serum biochemistry of the Arrau turtle (Podocnemis expansa): Frozen analyte stability and the effects of long‐term storage

Abstract

Background Turtles are a major source of protein for riverside human populations in Brazil. The encouragement of commercial breeding meets conservation efforts for these animals, and it is, therefore, crucial to understand the physiologic and behavioral aspects of semi‐aquatic species in captive conditions. Serum biochemical tests are ancillary diagnostic tools, and sample storage is a main problem since clinical laboratories are not always available near the habitats of these species. Objectives The aim of this study was to provide information about the stability of albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, creatinine kinase (CK), total cholesterol (Chol), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), total protein (TP), and urea at different storage times. Methods In all, 17 Arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa) were used, and the serum obtained was separated into aliquots and analyzed at 0, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days after being stored at −20°C. Results The results showed that albumin, AST, CK, GGT, and TP suffered interference due to the long storage times. Conclusion Analytes such as ALP, calcium, Chol, and urea can be evaluated for up to 1 month after freezing. Albumin, AST, and TP can be analyzed up to 1 week after freezing without alterations, and CK GGT are best evaluated on fresh samples.

Stability of Selected Biochemical Analytes in Serum Stored at Room Temperature for 24 Hours at Kericho County Referral Hospital, Kenya

“…Interrupted power supply, lack of reagents, equipment malfunction, unprecedented workload, and late sample reception are some of the factors that frequently necessitate the storage of specimens in clinical laboratories (Damtie et al, 2020). Other factors may include research work which calls for later analysis, batch testing, additional test requests, and all requiring sample analysis hours to days after collection (Camargo et al, 2020). Also, the evolving scenario of consolidation of smaller laboratories to create a core laboratory, which has become popular the world over, creates extra-preanalytical factors on the patients' samples, including different transportation, storage, and handling conditions that may interfere with the stability of analytes (Magnette et al, 2016).…”

Hematological and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Euphrates Softshell Turtle (Rafetus euphraticus)

“…One of the most critical aspects of the biology of endangered species is the study of various biological markers, including hematological and biochemical parameters. The normality of each biochemical parameter level is compared with population-level reference intervals (Banaee et al 2020;Camargo et al 2020;Vistro et al 2020). Moreover, these parameters are useful for detecting physiological abnormalities that may occur due to seasonal changes, ontogeny, sexual maturity, gender, dietary changes, and infectious diseases (Finlayson et al 2020;Miguel et al 2020;Scheelings et al 2020;Tezak et al 2020;da Fonseca et al 2020).…”

“…Several hematological and biochemical studies are carried out on different freshwater and marine turtle species (Banaee et al 2020;Camargo et al 2020;Vistro et al 2020); however, to the best of authors's knowledge, these parameters in Euphrates turtle blood are not studied yet. Therefore, given the adverse biological conditions of this turtle in aquatic ecosystems of the Karun Basin, the Tigris and Euphrates, and other rivers in the region, this information gap on blood physiology is quite sensible.…”