title: Concentrations of calcium and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in plasma of wild kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) living on two islands in New Zealand.
abstract: AIMS This preliminary study had the objectives of describing the concentrations of ionised calcium and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) in the blood of wild kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) living on two islands in New Zealand, and to determine the effects of supplementary feeding on these blood parameters. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from 33 kākāpō living on two offshore islands during routine health checks in 2015. Birds on Hauturu were sampled in May (n=5) and birds on Whenua Hou were sampled in July (n=15) and November (n=26). Of the birds sampled on Whenua Hou in November, 15 received supplementary food prior to sampling. Samples were analysed for pH, and concentrations of ionised calcium, total calcium, phosphorous, total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid and 25(OH)D3. RESULTS Concentrations of ionised calcium did not differ between unsupplemented birds on the two islands, nor between supplemented (median 1.17 (95% CI=1.12-1.20) mmol/L) and unsupplemented (median 1.09 (95% CI=1.08-1.14) mmol/L) birds sampled in November on Whenua Hou (p>0.05), and were comparable with published normal ranges for other psittacines. Concentrations of 25(OH)D3did not differ between unsupplemented birds on the two islands (p>0.05), but were higher in supplemented (median 8.00 (95% CI=4.76-8.45) nmol/L) than unsupplemented (median 0.00 (95% CI=-0.16-0.48) nmol/L) birds on Whenua Hou (p<0.001). All values were much lower than published ranges for healthy psittacines. There was no difference between male and female birds on Whenua Hou for any parameter measured (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The calcium status of the kākāpō in this study was comparable to other wild psittacines, however concentrations of 25(OH)D3were much lower. The concentrations of 25(OH)D3may be within the normal range for the species, however further data are required to confirm this. The significant increase in concentrations of 25(OH)D3in supplementary fed birds suggests that this food was providing more of the nutrient than the wild diet at that time of year, although the effects of this are unknown. Further investigation is required into the calcium and vitamin D3status of kākāpō, across a wider range of locations, seasons and ages. This would help define normal ranges for these parameters, allow interpretation in clinically abnormal individuals, and guide the refinement of supplementary foods. This information would, therefore, assist the future conservation management of this critically endangered species.
authors.affiliation: a New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine , Auckland Zoo , Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chatterton
authors.affiliation: a New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine , Auckland Zoo , Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pas
authors.affiliation: a New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine , Auckland Zoo , Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: a New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine , Auckland Zoo , Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leech
authors.affiliation: a New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine , Auckland Zoo , Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland 1022 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jakob-Hoff
authors.affiliation: b Canterbury Health Laboratories , 524 Hagley Avenue, Christchurch 8011 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Conservation , Kakapo Recovery Programme , Level 7, 33 Don Street, Invercargill 9810 , New Zealand.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Digby
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D062312:Islands; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010949:Plasma; D011563:Psittaciformes / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Kākāpō; Strigops habroptilus; calcium; cholecalciferol; vitamin D3