Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine reference intervals for plasma protein fractions of normal appearing, wild Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta. Blood was collected into heparinized vacutainer tubes from the following groups of turtles: 1) ten adult males; 2) eleven adult females; 3) ten juve- nile males; and 4) ten juvenile females. Plasma was removed and total protein content of each sample was determined using the biuret method. Plasma proteins were separated using gel electrophoresis and scanned using a laser densitometer. Reference ranges for albumin, alpha, beta, and gamma globulins were established for age and gender classes and statistically analyzed. Significant differences were found between beta globu- lins of adult and juveniles and between juvenile males and females. A subgroup of turtles had electrophoretograms with beta-gamma bridging and a single adult male loggerhead had a prealbumin fraction; however, these subgroups of turtles were excluded from statistical analysis.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
