Influence of dietary vitamins A and E on serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, retinol, retinyl palmitate and carotenoid concentrations in Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti).
Serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol were measured in 18 captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) prior to and following the removal of Columbia River (CR) smelt (Thaleichthys pacificus) from the diet. Dietary vitamin A was reduced from 59.8 to 13.5 IU g-1 (dry matter basis) when CR smelt was removed from the diet. Minimal changes were noted in dietary vitamin E. Serum samples Without-CR smelt had significantly lower circulating retinol (1.19 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.94 +/- 0.08 micrograms ml-1) and retinyl palmitate (0.033 +/- 0.012 vs. 0.105 +/- 0.004 microgram ml-1) compared to samples With-CR. The Without-CR smelt diet resulted in increased serum alpha-tocopherol from 26.4 +/- 0.94 to 39.1 +/- 3.72 micrograms ml-1. More serum samples taken Without-CR smelt had detectable levels of gamma-tocopherol than those With-CR smelt. Serum lutein was higher for the samples taken Without versus With-CR smelt. Serum cryptoxanthin did not differ. beta-Carotene was not detected. Data indicate that high levels of dietary vitamin A can affect circulating levels of retinol, retinyl palmitate and vitamin E. Thus, dietary vitamin A and the interrelationship between vitamins A and E should be considered when assessing captive penguins.
Department of Zoo Nutrition Services, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Conservation Biology and Research Center, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, IL 60513, USA. znnsouth@ix.netcom.com
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D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000097:blood; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D004224:Diterpenes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D004224:Diterpenes; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; C014794:retinol palmitate; D002338:Carotenoids