title: Plasma alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and lipid levels in semi-free-ranging Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii).
abstract: Circulating concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and lipids were quantified in 19 Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii) inhabiting the steppes of Ukraine during June 1991. Foals (n = 3) had lower mean plasma alpha-tocopherol (4.7 micrograms/ml) and beta-carotene (0.3 microgram/ml) levels than did adults (n = 16; 6.6 and 0.7 micrograms/ml, respectively) and higher mean cholesterol concentrations (1.42 vs. 0.98 mg/ml). Mean triglyceride levels did not differ between foals and adults (0.46 mg/ml). Alpha tocopherol concentrations were substantially higher than those considered normal for domestic and zoo equids, but beta-carotene, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were within expected ranges. These limited data suggest excellent circulating vitamin E concentrations in these horses and may provide useful comparative guidelines for assessment of fat-soluble nutrient concentrations and establishment of optimal dietary management of Przewalski horses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York 10464, USA.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dierenfeld
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Hoppe
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Woodford
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Krilov
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Klimov
authors.forename: N I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Yasinetskaya
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000662:veterinary; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000662:veterinary; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014455:Ukraine; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014280:Triglycerides; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol