Scope A, Schwendenwein I, Schauberger G. Characterization and quantification of the influence of season and gender on plasma chemistries of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni, Gmelin 1789).
Res Vet Sci 2013;
95:59-68. [PMID:
23535317 DOI:
10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.02.017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study is the first to monitor plasma chemistries of a group of 30 Hermann's tortoises (HTs) over two summer seasons to characterize and quantify seasonal and gender-related influences. The following analytes were analyzed: ALT, ALP, AST, BA, CA, CHO, CK, LDH, GLU, GLDH, P, TP, TRIG, urea and uric acid. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, mean values, confidence intervals were calculated. The overall results showed distinct patterns and somewhat unexpected results concerning the plasma chemistry changes induced by season and gender in a majority of routine biochemical analytes. TRIG, CHO, CA, and P were significantly higher in females. AST, ALT, BA, LDH and GLDH showed an increase in males in midsummer. ALP showed a significant and analogous seasonal variation for both sexes. GLU showed a moderate increase during midsummer. Uric acid and urea concentrations showed a distinct seasonal variation. For some analytes, fitted curves could be calculated describing the seasonal variation.
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