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Plasma chemistry in nesting leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) from Florida: Understanding the importance of sample hemolysis effects on blood analytes
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Iss 9, p e0222426 (2019), PLoS ONE
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2019.
-
Abstract
- Plasma chemistry is widely used in diagnostic and research settings in sea turtles. However, plasma discolorations such as hemolysis are often not considered in data interpretation. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the effects of moderate hemolysis on plasma electrolytes, minerals, and proteins using dry chemistry analysis (DCA) and protein electrophoresis from nesting leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) from Florida and to (2) establish blood analyte reference intervals. Twenty-six plasma samples with absence of hemolysis were selected and sub-divided into one non-hemolytic aliquot and an aliquot that was experimentally manipulated to mimic moderate hemolysis. Plasma samples were analyzed for hemoglobin using a handheld photometer; sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and total protein using DCA; and protein electrophoresis. Packed cell volume and hemoglobin were measured in corresponding whole blood samples. Reference intervals were established. All analytes except calcium and pre-albumin were significantly higher and the calcium:phosphorus and albumin:globulin ratios were significantly lower in hemolytic plasma compared to non-hemolytic plasma. Alpha2-globulins and potassium were the analytes most impacted by hemolysis, averaging 3.3- and 2.0-fold higher in hemolyzed samples, respectively, indicating that (1) hemoglobin migrates into the alpha2-globulin region in this species and (2) notable intracellular potassium is released into plasma with hemolysis. Attempted conversion factors for compensation of hemolysis were considered inaccurate for 4 of 16 analytes due to non-significant regression lines. We also report that PCV provides an estimate of hemoglobin (g/L) using the formula: (2.59 × PCV) + 24.59. Given the spurious effects of hemolysis, the degree of this artifact should be reported with biochemistry data, and samples with moderate to severe hemolysis should be excluded from datasets when interpreting electrolyte, mineral, and protein results. This will ensure accurate data interpretation for individual turtles in rehabilitation or research settings and population-level data relevant to conservation-focused projects.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Physiology
Potassium
Biochemistry
01 natural sciences
Analytical Chemistry
0403 veterinary science
Electrolytes
Reference Values
Blood plasma
Medicine and Health Sciences
Electrochemistry
Whole blood
Multidisciplinary
biology
Eukaryota
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
Blood proteins
Hemolysis
Turtles
Body Fluids
Chemistry
Blood
Blood Circulation
Vertebrates
Physical Sciences
Florida
Medicine
Female
Anatomy
Research Article
Globulin
040301 veterinary sciences
Science
chemistry.chemical_element
010603 evolutionary biology
Blood Plasma
Chemical Analysis
Albumins
medicine
Animals
Hemoglobin
Plasma Proteins
Chromatography
Organisms
Albumin
Biology and Life Sciences
Reptiles
Proteins
medicine.disease
chemistry
Testudines
Amniotes
biology.protein
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 14
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLOS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....16d87a79a25c5c0ae048cd8cc9dd1da8