Abstract

Background: There are hematological studies on the size and number of blood cells on the Natrix tessellata species. However, in the Natrix tessellata species, detailed hematological studies, including plasma biochemistry and effect of body size on blood parameters, were not found. Objectives: In this study, changes in hematological parameters of Natrix tessellata (Tessellated water snake), which is distributed in Çanakkale, were investigated. Total body length of all samples were measured. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, morphology of blood cells, glucose, calcium, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, iron, albumin, phosphorus, magnesium parameters were determined. Methods: Field trials were carried out between May and July around Karabiga. Total of 24 samples of Natrix tessellata were captured and morphologically taken from their natural environment in order to be able to perform morphological and hematological results. For evaluation of hematological parameters, approximately 1 ml of blood was taken with Caudal Ven 5 ml diameter injector, transferred in biochemistry tubes with lithium heparin, and centrifuged to separate the plasma part. Plasma biochemical parameters were determined by autoanalyzer. Erythrocyte and leukocyte counts using a hemacytometer, and hemoglobin amount Sahli method, the hematocrit value of the plasma by measuring the proportion of blood cells, the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration calculating the mathematical hematological results. Results: The reference ranges of hematologic parameters were determined according to the growth of Natrix tessellata, and the effect of body size on hematological parameters was determined. Mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration and total protein values were found to be significantly positive correlations, albumin values were found to be significantly negative correlations. It was determined that the other parameters examined did not change depending on body size. Conclusions: A study involving the effect of body size on hematological parameters in Natrix tessellata has not been found, it is expected that there will be a scientific shortage of differences in some hematological parameters and it is expected to lead the hematologic studies related to body size in other snake species.
Keywords: Natrix tessellata, Plasma biochemistry, Hematology, Morphology.