Aspectos hematológicos de Hydromedusa maximiliani (Mikan, 1820) (Testudines, Chelidae) na Reserva Biológica Municipal Santa Cândida, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais

Abstract

Hydromedusa maximiliani is endemic to mountainous regions, with distribution in the Atlantic Forest region along mountains in the southeast and part of northeastern Brazil. The objective of this study was to analyze the hematology of a H. maximilaini population of the Reserva Biológica Municipal Santa Cândida (RBMSC), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Twelve individuals (five males, four females and three juveniles) were captured. Blood samples were collected and 10 blood smears were made for each individual and the remainder stored in heparin tubes for analysis in the laboratory. The blood smears were analyzed under the microscope and the blood cells were measured and differential leukocyte counting was done. The hemogram was done manually to determine: hematocrit, hemoglobin, total erythrocytes, total leukocytes and differential counts, thrombocytes and hematimetric. For blood biochemistry were calculated: urea, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid. The results were reported using descriptive statistics and to compare the results between individuals of different sex and age, t test was used. The erythrocytes of this species are large and ellipsoidal like other species of freshwater chelonians. There was a significant difference in erythrocyte size between males, females and juveniles. Males showed a larger erythrocyte and nucleus possibly related to their larger weight size in relation to adult females and juvenile. Five types of leukocytes (heterophiles, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes) were also identified. The smallest and most common leukocytes were lymphocytes and the largest were heterophiles and eosinophils. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes were high in juveniles and hematocrit was lower in females. The males presented a greater number of lymphocytes and less of leucocytes, and in juveniles was the opposite. As for blood biochemistry, juveniles presented higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase due to increased osteoblastic and muscular activity. Finally, females and juveniles presented a higher chronic stress index due to a greater number of heterophils compared to the number of lymphocytes.