Vitamin E in cranes: reference ranges and nutrient interactions.
Fat soluble vitamins E and A (quantified as alpha-tocopherol and all-trans retinol, respectively) were measured in plasma samples from 274 captive cranes from four institutions and five free-ranging birds. Ages ranged from 4 mo to 80 yr, and all 15 crane species were represented. Captive cranes had a mean +/- standard error (SE) of 6.57 +/- 0.82 micrograms/ml alpha-tocopherol; migrating greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadenis tabida) had a plasma concentration of 3.71 +/- 0.22 micrograms/ml. Sex and age differences were not significant, but crane species that evolved in temperate habitats had higher circulating levels of alpha-tocopherol than tropical or subtropical species. Mean +/- SE retinol values were 0.69 +/- 0.05 micrograms/ml in captive cranes, and 0.66 +/- 0.08 micrograms/ml in free-ranging cranes; values did not differ significantly by sex, age, or species. Dietary vitamin E concentrations were significantly correlated with plasma alpha-tocopherol levels in a logarithmic relationship. Dietary selenium at 0.5 mg/kg was associated with decreased circulating alpha-tocopherol concentrations.
Dierenfeld
E S
ES
New York Zoological Society, Bronx 10460.
Sheppard
C D
CD
Langenberg
J
J
Mirande
C
C
Spratt
J
J
Dein
F J
FJ
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*
D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol; D012643:Selenium