Capsule Reports

One hundred thirty-one clinically healthy Hermann’s tortoises ( Testudo hermanii ) were studied to evaluate serum and plasma levels of symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA). The animals were mostly sourced from a rescue center in Germany. 98 males and 33 females were included in the study, weighing on average 1.1kg. Blood was collected from the dorsal tail vein without sedation in most animals as part of routine health screening. Blood samples were centrifuged and sent to IDEXX reference laboratory for analysis of SDMA using a novel high-throughput homogenous competitive immunoassay. SDMA ranged from 1-21 ug/dL. No difference was noted between male and female tortoises. Uric acid was analyzed on an in-house analyzer using a reference interval of 0.5-2.0 mg/dL. One hundred three tortoises had both a normal uric acid and SDMA and the remaining 28 tortoises had elevations in both uric acid and SDMA. The results of this study are suggestive of a correlation between these values.