Blood biochemistry rates of South American River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa, Schweigger – 1812)(TESTUDINATA) bred in captivity

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the biochemistry of blood constituents from the South American River Turtle Podocnemis expansa, Schweigger 1912. For this experiment, 46 animals from Moenda do Lago Farm, a commercial farm from São José dos Bandeirantes, Goiás State, Brazil, were used, the blood being collected from the vertebral sinus, trsnferred to vacuntainer tubes without anticoagulant, spun down, the serum collected in eppendorfs and storaged at 20C and the respective analysis carried out by colorimetric techniques and fast glucose sensor Precision Plus MedsenseÅ at the College of Veterinary Medicine Latobatories at Federal University of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The mean values found were as follows: Total proteins, 4.42 ± 0.55 g/dL, albumin, 2.50 ±0.2 g/dL, globulins, 1.92 ± 0.35 mg/dL, albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) 1.55 ±1.46, glucose, 122.9 ± 35.2 mg/dL, urea, 61.13 ± 28.35 mg/dL, creatinine, 0.098 ± 0.021 mg/dL, uric acid, 2.08 ± 0.53 mg/dL, cholesterol, 106.93 ± 21.03 mg/dL, total calcium,7.08 ± 1.04 mg/dL, ionic calcium, 4.41 ± 0.60 mg/dL, phosphorus, 5.21 ± 1.22 mg/dL, calcium/phosphorus ratio, 1.58 mg/dL ± 0.66, iron, 390.35 ± 116,65 µg/dL, magnesium, 1.59 ± 0.14, chlorides, 86.40 ± 7.63 mEq/ L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 194.56 ± 154.27 U/L, alanineaminotransferase (ALT) 4.04 ± 3.00 U/L, alkaline phosphatase, 131.13 ± 59.96 U/L, ¡- glutamiltransferase (GGT) 0.60 ± 0.84 U/L and tryglicerides, 127.65 ± 100.86 mg/dL. In conclusion, mean values of blood constituents of Podocnemis expansa did not show great differences from other chelonian species. The albumin/globulin ratio, and uric acid and glucose values were inversely related to body weight. Thus, the results of this research bring data on South America River Turtle blood biochemistry raised in captivity, although new research studies will be necessary to establish the species reference values.