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Steatitis in Cold-Stunned Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys kempii)
Rachel C Turner1, Charles J Innis2, Brian A Stacy3
1Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Steatitis in cold-stunned sea turtles is multifactorial, involving tissue injury and oxidative stress. Improved vitamin E supplementation and diet are crucial for managing this condition in Kemp
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Marine Biology
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Steatitis, an inflammatory condition of adipose tissue, infrequently affects cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (KRT).
- The exact causes and contributing factors to steatitis in KRT remain largely undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate clinical and histological findings of steatitis in cold-stunned KRT.
- To compare oxidative stress markers, specifically alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), between affected and unaffected KRT.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination and histological analysis of adipose tissue from cold-stunned KRT.
- Measurement of plasma vitamin E, TBARS, and calculation of the TBARS to vitamin E (T/E) ratio in cold-stunned KRT with steatitis and free-ranging control KRT.
Main Results:
- Histological findings included heterophilic/histiocytic steatitis, fat necrosis, myonecrosis, and intralesional bacteria.
- Cold-stunned KRT with steatitis exhibited significantly lower plasma vitamin E and TBARS concentrations, and a higher T/E ratio compared to controls.
- Steatitis diagnosis occurred a median of 71 days post-admission in cold-stunned turtles.
Conclusions:
- Steatitis in rehabilitating KRT likely results from a combination of factors, including tissue injury, septicemia, and oxidative stress.
- Findings underscore the need for enhanced vitamin E supplementation and dietary review to mitigate steatitis incidence and improve management in cold-stunned sea turtles.
