RED BLOOD CELL MORPHOLOGY AND BLOOD BIOCHEMISTRY OF Bufotes variabilis

To determine blood biochemistry and reassess and compare red blood cell morphology based on individuals' gender, age and SVL (Snout-Vent Length), we studied 30 blood samples of Bufotes variabilis (15 males, 15 females) from Omaz Valley, Denizli/Turkey. For age determination, bone samples were threated according to the skeletochronology procedure and a strong positive correlation between SVL and age structure (Pearson's, n = 30, r(2) = 0.937, p < 0.001) was detected. Like all anurans, the shapes of the erythrocytes and their nuclei were ellipsoidal while their dimensions were bigger than expected when compared with those in the previous studies. Statistical evaluations of the red blood cells were made according to individuals' gender, age and SVL and no significant differences were found amongst them. This is the first study about the blood biochemistry of B. variabilis which includes pH, blood gas, oximetry, electrolyte (potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate ion concentrations) and metabolite ED-glucose and L(+)-lactate concentration] values. Biochemical data were statistically analysed according to gender, age and SVL to evaluate whether there are any relationships or differences between the studied individuals. Statistical analyses of the biochemical assessments showed that cCa values of females were significantly high (t-test: t = 2.30, df = 20, p < 0.05), possibly due to the spawning period. The mean value of the individuals' age was 7.77 +/- 1.33 years with the mean SVL of 80.4 +/- 1.2 mm. Pearson's correlations of the biochemical data indicated a very significant relationship between cCl ion concentration and SVL as well as age. However, highly significant positive correlations were found between SO2 - pO(2), FO(2)Hb - pO(2), FO(2)Hb - sO(2), FHHb - pCO(2), cNa - pH, cNa - cK, cCa - cK, cCa - cNa, cHO(3) - pCO(2) and cLac - cGlu values while pO(2) - pCO(2), SO2 - pCO(2), FHHb - pO(2), FHHb - sO(2), FHHb - FO(2)Hb, cK - pCO(2) values showed a very significant negative correlation. These are the first biochemical data and evaluations about B. variabilis blood. In addition, according to the data obtained in our study, it is possible to say that age can be used as a substitute of SVL when it is not possible to procure the exact measurements of an individual for assessment.