title: Serum vitamin A concentrations in captive sea otters (Enhydra lutris).
abstract: Individual dietary preferences and difficulty with animal training create challenges and nutritional concerns when evaluating a captive sea otter (Enhydra lutris) diet. The importance of vitamin A within the body reflects the necessity that it be ingested in adequate amounts to ensure optimal health. To compare levels of serum vitamin A concentrations from captive sea otters on daily oral vitamin A supplementation, serum samples from eight adult sea otters from three institutions were evaluated for serum vitamin A concentrations. The eight animals were fed a total of four different diets and received oral supplementation via three different methods. Multiple diet items were analyzed for vitamin A content and were found to have low to nondetectable levels of vitamin A. Oral vitamin A supplementation, as a slurry with dietary items, was shown to be effective and a mean serum concentration of approximately 170 +/- 51 microg/L was obtained for serum vitamin A concentrations in captive sea otters. Captive diets can be modified to increase vitamin A concentration and supplementation and, if accepted, can be used as a means to ensure adequate vitamin A intake.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA. alisonrighton@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Alison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Righton
authors.forename: Judy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: St Leger
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fascetti
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010041:Otters / Q000097:blood*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A