Plasma alpha-tocopherol, total lipids and total cholesterol in wild rockhopper, magellanic and gentoo penguins before and after moulting.
Post moult rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes crestatus) had significantly higher plasma alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), total lipid and total cholesterol concentrations than their pre-moult counterparts. In the magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) there were post moult increases in total lipid, cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations, but only the increase in alpha-tocopherol was significant. Plasma alpha-tocopherol, total lipid and total cholesterol concentrations in post moult gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) chicks were similar to those in non-moulting adult gentoos. Species differences in the levels of these nutrients in plasma may be due to differences in their dietary habits.
Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, Institute of Zoology, London.
G
G
Williams
K
K
Ghebremeskel
I F
IF
Keymer
D T
DT
Horsley
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005241:Feathers; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
D008055:Lipids; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol