BLOOD FATTY ACID PROFILES OF NERITIC JUVENILE WILD GREEN TURTLES (CHELONIA MYDAS) AND KEMP'S RIDLEYS (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII).

Blood fatty acid profiles can indicate an animal's wild-type diet composition and fatty acid status, but have not been reported in sea turtles. Newer technologies allow for fatty acid profiles from very small (less than three drops) samples of whole blood. This study examined whole blood fatty acid profiles of presumably healthy, neritic, juvenile, wild green (Chelonia mydas) (n = 9; 6 males, 3 females) and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) (n = 8; 6 males, 2 females) turtles from North Carolina, USA. Saturated fatty acids, which can be synthesized de novo, consisted primarily of 16:0, although green turtle blood had a higher proportion of 18:0 (P < 0.001) than Kemp's ridleys, while Kemp's ridley blood had higher proportions of 17:0 (P = 0.007), 20:0 (P = 0.03), 22:0 (P= 0.002), and 24:0 (P < 0.001) as compared with green turtles. Total monounsaturated w7 fatty acids, which can be synthesized de novo or may be diet derived, were higher in Kemp's ridleys and predominantly in the form of 16:1 and 18:1w7 fatty acids. Kemp's ridley blood had more than double the relative proportion of 16:1w7 as compared with green turtles (P= 0.03). Green turtles had higher levels of 18:2w6 than Kemp's ridleys (P= 0.02). In both turtle species, 20:4w6 was detected, despite predicted low dietary proportions, suggesting bioconversion from precursors. Finally, green turtles had higher levels of 18:3w3 compared with Kemp's ridleys, while Kemp's ridleys had higher proportions of 20:5w3 compared with green turtles (P < 0.001, = 0.007, respectively). Whole blood fatty acid profiles generally correlate to previous work with lipid depots, supporting the use of this less invasive methodology to advance the understanding of fatty acid nutrition of sea turtles. These data can be used to assess and guide nutrition and health programs for sea turtles under human care.

Risk factors associated with cataracts and lens luxations in captive pinnipeds in the United States and the Bahamas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for lens luxation and cataracts in captive pinnipeds in the United States and the Bahamas. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 111 pinnipeds (99 California sea lions [Zalophus californianus], 10 harbor seals [Phoca vitulina], and 2 walruses [Odobenus rosmarus]) from 9 facilities. PROCEDURES: Eyes of each pinniped were examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist for the presence of cataracts or lens luxations and photographed. Information detailing husbandry practices, history, and facilities was collected with a questionnaire, and descriptive statistical analyses were performed for continuous and categorical variables. Odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals were estimated from the final model. RESULTS: Risk factors for lens luxation, cataracts, or both included age >or= 15 years, history of fighting, history of ocular disease, and insufficient access to shade. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diseases of the lens commonly affect captive pinnipeds. Access to UV-protective shade, early identification and medical management of ocular diseases, and prevention of fighting can limit the frequency or severity of lens-related disease in this population. An extended life span may result from captivity, but this also allows development of pathological changes associated with aging, including cataracts.