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. Additionally, the large blood vessels of three dead turtles were injected with latex and dissected for anatomical support. A parabolic flow velocity profile was observed in all arteries. The waveforms of the right and left aortic arteries showed an unusual pattern when compared with mammals. The hepatic vein flow velocity waveform of the loggerhead sea turtle was found to be similar to that in the dog, although the flow velocity in the C-wave was higher than that in the A-wave. The low resistance flow pattern observed suggests that the loggerhead sea turtle’s organs require a continuous blood supply.