Venipuncture site and population affect blood analytes in head-started and free-ranging eastern box turtles...

To compare head-started and free-ranging eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) blood analytes to evaluate head-starting practices and venipuncture site suitability.

Eastern box turtles were head-started by Jekyll Island State Park Authority's Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Free-ranging resident box turtles on Jekyll Island State Park were captured. A physical examination and CBC were performed. Blood collection was performed from a jugular vein and the subcarapacial venous sinus. Passive integrated transponder tags were placed prior to release. Recapture and repeat assessments were attempted annually. Blood analyte data were analyzed for observational study of effects of group (head-started or free-ranging) and venipuncture site.

Jugular blood samples from 15 head-started turtles (mostly immature; 88 samples) had lower total solids, lower heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and higher lymphocytes than jugular samples from 24 free-ranging turtles (mostly adult; 64 samples). In head-started individuals, PCV, total solids, WBC count, and heterophils were lower in subcarapacial than jugular samples.

Disparities between head-started and free-ranging turtles could indicate variance in stress, age, sex, or season. The jugular vein is the most suitable venipuncture site in comparison to the subcarapacial venous sinus, which exhibited lymphatic and/or CSF dilution.

Results of the present study provide insight into variances in head-started and free-ranging box turtle populations, which must be considered for accurate hemogram interpretation. The importance of standardized protocol and serial sampling from individuals is emphasized, as values may vary by venipuncture site, population, and intrinsic factors (eg, age, sex, season) within species.