Reproductive status of captive Loggerhead sea turtles based on serum levels of gonadal steroid hormones, corticosterone and thyroxin.

Serum levels of gonadal steroid hormones, corticosterone and thyroxin (T(4)), were monitored monthly in two male and one female captive Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) over a period of 12 months in 2004 and 3 months in 2006. Ovary ultrasonography was performed in April and July 2006. The turtles were kept together in an outdoor sea pool in natural temperature and photoperiod conditions from May to November, then in separate indoor pools from December to April.

Fishhook lesions in loggerhead sea turtles.

This study describes four cases of loggerhead sea turtles with fishhooks in the gastrointestinal tract. Two dead turtles with a hook in the esophagus had local fibrosis with an invagination of the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium surrounding the hook, isolating it from the subjacent stroma, one had a hook in the cloaca which was expelled spontaneously, and one had plication of the intestine with necrosis caused by the long monofilament line attached to the hook lodged in the esophagus. Lethal injuries were related to the effect of strangulation and traction produced by the line throughout the gastrointestinal tract rather than the presence of the hook in the esophageal mucosa.

Radiographic features of the limbs of juvenile and subadult loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

This study aimed to provide the normal radiographic anatomic appearance of the limbs of the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta. Dorsopalmar and dorsoplantar radiographs were taken of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of 15 juvenile and 15 subadult loggerhead sea turtles, 17 alive and 13 dead. For comparison, computed tomographic, gross anatomic, osteologic, and histologic studies were performed on the limbs of 5 of the sea turtles.

Evaluation of Doppler ultrasonography for the measurement of blood flow in young loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

The aim of this study was to identify ultrasound accessible blood vessels in the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and describe their Doppler waveform patterns, peak systolic velocity, mean velocity, systolic/diastolic ratio as well as pulsatility and resistive indices. B-mode, colour and pulsed-wave Doppler examinations were performed on 10 turtles. Flow measurements were recorded for the left and right aorta, epigastric and internal iliac arteries, and right hepatic vein.

Cervical and coelomic radiologic features of the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta.

Many investigators have undertaken radiologic studies in chelonians. However, descriptive papers focusing on the radiographic anatomy are limited to only a few species. The purpose of this article is to provide the normal cervical and coelomic radiographic appearance of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), in the dorsoventral view, and to indicate useful landmarks to identify internal anatomic structures.

Sectional anatomic and magnetic resonance imaging features of coelomic structures of loggerhead sea turtles.

Objective: To compare cross-sectional anatomic specimens with images obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the coelomic structures of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

Animals: 5 clinically normal live turtles and 5 dead turtles.

Procedures: MRI was used to produce T1- and T2- weighted images of the turtles, which were compared with gross anatomic sections of 3 of the 5 dead turtles.