Meeting Abstract

P3.38  Saturday, Jan. 5  Effect of season on the immune system of adult red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta. ZIMMERMAN, L.M.*; VOGEL, L.A.; BOWDEN, R.M.; Illinois St. Univ.; Illinois St. Univ.; Illinois St. Univ. lmzimme@ilstu.edu

The reptile immune system involves innate, cell-mediated, and humoral responses. Previous research has shown that aspects of these responses exhibit seasonal variation that is species specific. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of season on immune responses in adult red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta. Male and female turtles were trapped and blood samples taken in each of three active seasons: spring, summer, and fall. Innate immunity was measured using a bactericidal assay that measured the killing capacity of plasma against bacteria. The cell-mediated immune response was measured using a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to phytohemagglutin (PHA). This method had not been previously used in adult turtles and here we report preliminary validation results. The humoral response will be measured by using an ELISA to determine total immunoglobin (Ig) levels. The results of the bactericidal assay showed no effect of sex on killing capacity, but showed a significant effect of season. Killing capacity peaked in late June and July. Preliminary results of the DTH test show that the secondary injection should be given 48 hours after the priming injection, and then the injection site should be measured 12 hours after the secondary injection.