Serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, retinol, retinyl palmitate, and carotenoid concentrations in captive and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
Concentrations of retinol, retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured in blood samples collected from 15 captive and 55 free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). From June 1991 to June 1994, blood samples were collected from captive animals residing at two locations; at Seven Seas (Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL) and Hawk's Cay (Marathon Key, FL). Blood samples were collected from free-ranging animals from June 1991 to June 1996. Retinol levels were not significantly different between captive dolphin groups. However, Seven Seas animals had higher (P < 0.01) serum retinol concentrations compared to free-ranging animals (0.061 vs 0.041 microgram/ml). Retinyl palmitate was not detected in the serum of captive or free-ranging dolphins. Alpha-tocopherol levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for Seven Seas dolphins (16.4 micrograms/ml) than for Hawk's Cay (13.0 micrograms/ml) and free-ranging dolphins (12.5 micrograms/ml). Gamma-tocopherol concentrations were similar among captive and free-ranging dolphins. Free-ranging dolphins showed levels of circulating carotenoids (lutein and beta-carotene) while the captive animals did not. Additional carotenoids (lycopene, alpha-carotene and cryptoxanthin) were analyzed but not detected in any samples. Serum vitamin differences between captive and free-ranging dolphins may reflect the natural diet or indicate some potential biological or nutritional status significance.
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Daniel F. & Ada L. Rice Conservation Biology and Research Center, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA. znnsouth@ixnetcom.com
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D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D004224:Diterpenes; D004289:Dolphins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D004224:Diterpenes; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; C014794:retinol palmitate; D002338:Carotenoids; D014975:Lutein