Activity of the complement system and lysozyme in blood serum of the turtle Chelonoidis chilensis (Quelonia)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to verify activity of the complement system and lysozyme in blood serum of Chelonoidis chilensis. Results showed evidence for hemolytic activity against mammal erythrocytes, which is Mg ionic dependent, inactivated by EDTA and by zymosan, affected by the presence of erythrocyte membranes and thermolabile. In addition, the blood serum had a time lag with an identical latency phase to the one corresponding to activation of an alternative pathway of the complement. Moreover, hemolytic activity was observed against the gram (+) bacterium Micrococcus luteus, which did not depend on cation presence and was inhibited by chitin. These are the first observations on activities of nonspecific defense in the species, and also the coexistence of both in a turtle.