Objective: To compare anatomic features of cross-sectional specimens with those of MRI images of the heads of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Animals: 5 cadavers of juvenile female loggerhead sea turtles. Procedures: Spin-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI scans were obtained in sagittal, transverse, and dorsal planes with a 0.2-T magnet and head coil. Head specimens were grossly dissected and photographed. Anatomic features of the MRI images were compared with those of gross anatomic sections of the heads from 4 of these turtles. Results: In the MRI images, anatomic details of the turtles' heads were identified by the characteristics of signal intensity of various tissues. Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labeled on the MRI images and corresponding anatomic sections. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The MRI images obtained through this study provided valid information on anatomic characteristics of the head in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles and should be useful for guiding clinical evaluation of this anatomic region in this species.

We evaluated the effect of anticoagulant (lithium heparin, sodium heparin, or none) and type of autoanalyzer on selected blood biochemical values of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). More differences were observed between the analytes in serum and those in the 2 types of plasma than were observed between the 2 types of plasma. Differences in electrolyte concentrations were not significant when plasma from sodium-heparinized blood was compared with plasma from lithium-heparinized blood. Serum is not recommended for reptilian studies because clot formation is unpredictable and because the time required for clotting may allow substantial changes in the chemical composition of the sample. For most determinants, values varied more between the 2 types of autoanalyzers than among the 3 anticoagulant treatments. These sources of variation must be considered when performing comparative studies.

With the purpose in obtaining measurable parameters of hematologic examination and total protein test values of eight sea turtles of species Caretta caretta in captivity, 5mL of blood were collected from dorsal cervical sinus using heparin as anticoagulant. The results showed average amounts of erythrocytes of 275.000/µl (±28.030,59), packed cell volume of 33,12% (±2,35), hemoglobin concentration of 8,65 g/dl (±0,80), while the erythrocytic indexes were 725 fl (± 131,99) for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), 198,18 pg (± 38,66) for mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and 26,10% (± 1,21) for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The leukocyte response showed an average of WBC counting of 3.656/µl (±963,04), and the average numbers relating to the leukocyte count were 59,38% (±16.27) for heterophils, 10,38% (±6,32) for eosinophils, 0,13% (±0.35) for basophils, 29,25% (±17,12) for lymphocytes and 0,88% (±2,10) for monocytes, being those absolute values of 2.156,87/µl (±703,49); 366,88/µl (±216,44); 2,50/µl (±7,07); 1.110,94/µl (±783,61) e 19,06/µl (± 42,34), respectively. The average amount of trombocytes found equaled 10.968,13/µl (±3.109,19) and the total protein finding of an average 6,5 g/dl (±0,83). Of all variables analyzed, the erythrocytes count, the mean corpuscular volume, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin and all leukocyte counts presented different values for the relevant species when compared to published literature. | Com objetivo de obter valores dos parâmetros do hemograma e de proteína plasmática total, de tartarugas marinhas da espécie Caretta caretta criadas em cativeiro, foram coletados cinco mililitros de sangue através de venopunção do seio venoso cervical dorsal de oito animais daquela espécie, utilizando como anticoagulante a heparina de sódio. Os achados hematológicos mostraram valores médios de eritrócitos de 275.000/µl (±28.030,59), volume globular de 33,12% (±2,35), concentração de hemoglobina de 8,65 g/dl (±0,80), enquanto que os índices hematimétricos encontrados foram de 725 fl (± 131,99) para volume globular médio (VGM), 198,18 pg (± 38,66) para hemoglobina globular média (HGM) e de 26,10% (± 1,21) para concentração de hemoglobina globular média (CHGM). No leucograma a média do número total de leucócitos foi de 3.656/µl (±963,04), e os valores médios relativos da contagem diferencial de leucócitos foram de 59,38% (±16.27) para heterófilos, 10,38% (±6,32) para eosinófilos, 0,13% (±0.35) para basófilos, 29,25% (±17,12) para linfócitos e 0,88% (±2,10) para monócitos, sendo os valores absolutos de 2.156,87/µl (±703,49); 366,88/µl (±216,44); 2,50/µl (±7,07); 1.110,94/µl (±783,61) e 19,06/µl (± 42,34), respectivamente. O valor médio de trombócitos encontrado foi igual a 10.968,13/µl (±3.109,19) e a determinação de proteína total teve uma média de 6,5 g/dl (±0,83). Das variáveis analisadas, a contagem de eritrócitos, o volume globular médio, a hemoglobina globular média e as contagens total e diferencial de leucócitos apresentaram valores diferentes para a espécie em questão, quando comparadas com a literatura consultada.