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.
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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