Christopher M M, Berry K H, Wallis I R, Nagy K A, Henen B T, Peterson C C
Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis 95616, USA.
J Wildl Dis. 1999 Apr;35(2):212-38. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-35.2.212.
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations have experienced precipitous declines resulting from the cumulative impact of habitat loss, and human and disease-related mortality. Evaluation of hematologic and biochemical responses of desert tortoises to physiologic and environmental factors can facilitate the assessment of stress and disease in tortoises and contribute to management decisions and population recovery. The goal of this study was to obtain and analyze clinical laboratory data from free-ranging desert tortoises at three sites in the Mojave Desert (California, USA) between October 1990 and October 1995, to establish reference intervals, and to develop guidelines for the interpretation of laboratory data under a variety of environmental and physiologic conditions. Body weight, carapace length, and venous blood samples for a complete blood count and clinical chemistry profile were obtained from 98 clinically healthy adult desert tortoises of both sexes at the Desert Tortoise Research Natural area (western Mojave), Goffs (eastern Mojave) and Ivanpah Valley (northeastern Mojave). Samples were obtained four times per year, in winter (February/March), spring (May/June), summer (July/August), and fall (October). Years of near-, above- and below-average rainfall were represented in the 5 yr period. Minimum, maximum and median values, and central 95 percentiles were used as reference intervals and measures of central tendency for tortoises at each site and/or season. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance for significant (P < 0.01) variation on the basis of sex, site, season, and interactions between these variables. Significant sex differences were observed for packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, aspartate transaminase activity, and cholesterol, triglyceride, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations. Marked seasonal variation was observed in most parameters in conjunction with reproductive cycle, hibernation, or seasonal rainfall. Year-to-year differences and long-term alterations primarily reflected winter rainfall amounts. Site differences were minimal, and largely reflected geographic differences in precipitation patterns, such that results from these studies can be applied to other tortoise populations in environments with known rainfall and forage availability patterns.
沙漠陆龟(Gopherus agassizii)种群数量因栖息地丧失以及人类和疾病相关的死亡率的累积影响而急剧下降。评估沙漠陆龟对生理和环境因素的血液学和生化反应有助于评估陆龟的应激和疾病情况,并有助于做出管理决策和促进种群恢复。本研究的目的是在1990年10月至1995年10月期间,从美国加利福尼亚州莫哈韦沙漠三个地点的自由放养沙漠陆龟中获取并分析临床实验室数据,建立参考区间,并制定在各种环境和生理条件下解释实验室数据的指南。从沙漠陆龟研究自然区域(莫哈韦西部)、戈夫斯(莫哈韦东部)和伊万帕山谷(莫哈韦东北部)的98只临床健康的成年沙漠陆龟(雌雄均有)中获取体重、背甲长度以及用于全血细胞计数和临床化学分析的静脉血样本。每年在冬季(2月/3月)、春季(5月/6月)、夏季(7月/8月)和秋季(10月)采集四次样本。这5年期间涵盖了接近平均、高于平均和低于平均降雨量的年份。最小值、最大值和中位数以及中心95% 分位数用作每个地点和/或季节陆龟的参考区间和集中趋势度量。使用重复测量方差分析对基于性别、地点、季节以及这些变量之间相互作用的显著(P < 0.01)差异进行数据分析。在红细胞压积、血红蛋白浓度、天冬氨酸转氨酶活性以及胆固醇、甘油三酯、钙和磷浓度方面观察到显著的性别差异。在大多数参数中观察到与繁殖周期、冬眠或季节性降雨相关的明显季节性变化。逐年差异和长期变化主要反映冬季降雨量。地点差异最小,主要反映降水模式的地理差异,因此这些研究结果可应用于其他具有已知降雨和饲料可用性模式环境中的陆龟种群。