Serum protein electrophoresis of free-ranging and captive loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), from north coast of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine and to compare the serum protein electrophoresis profile in female loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), free-ranging (n=20) nesting in the north coast of Bahia and in the animals kept in captivity (n=5) in the visitor center of the Projeto Tamar-Ibama, in Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil. The values obtained for the free-ranging turtles were: total protein 3,84±0,56g/dL, albumin 1,39±0,30g/dL, alfa-1 and alfa-2 globulin 0,34±0,09g/dL and 0,42±0,22g/dL, beta globulin 0,57±0,26g/dL, and gama globulin 1,16±0,30g/dL, and A:G ratio 0,58±0,16, while for the captives ones these values were: total protein 4,98±1,31g/dL, albumin 1,64±0,55g/dL, alfa-1, alfa-2, beta and gama globulin 0,39±0,24g/dL, 0,68±0,44g/dL, 0,68±0,13g/dL and 1,59±0,31g/dL, respectively; A:G ratio 0,49±0,08. The total protein values were significantly higher (p<0,05) for the captivity turtles; this fact may be related with the high protein feeding. Differences were also identified for the gamma globulin for the free-ranging, which presented lower values, probably due to reproductive stress and immunosuppression. Despite these considerations, the electrophoresis profile for the two loggerhead turtles groups were similar in general.