Effects of Induced Cold Torpor on Blood of Chrysemys Picta

¹ From the Department of Biology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri

Effects of induced cold torpor on the blood concentration of the turtle, Chrysemys picta (Schneider) were studied. Hematocrits, specific gravity of whole blood and plasma, and plasma protein concentrations were estimated in a total of 163 control and experimental specimens. Turtles in cold torpor for 1, 2 and 3 months at 2° ±4°C showed a hemodilution. Three experiments with short term rapid induced cold torpor (up to 1 week at 0°C) also resulted in hemodilution. All the significant differences, between controls and experimentals, were in hematocrit and whole blood specific gravity. There were no real alterations of plasma protein and plasma specific gravity levels. The conclusion was reached that in the turtle corpuscles leave the circulating blood, and there is no significant disturbance in circulatory water balance during periods of cold torpor.