Influence of vitamin E and carcass feeding supplementation on fecal glucocorticoid and androgen metabolites in male black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes)
In recent years, the ex situ population of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes; ferret) has experienced a decline in normal sperm morphology (from 50% to 20%), which may be linked to inbreeding depression and/or a dietary change. We examined the effects of adding carcass and vitamin E to the diet on stress and reproductive […]
Serum Retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and lipids in four species of adult captive pinnipeds
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10075.abs The sera of adult aquarium-held pinnipeds from four species (family Phocidae: harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus); family Otariidae: northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)) were analyzed for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (α-tocopherol), total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and fatty acids. Each subject animal was […]
Long-term administration of α-tocopherol in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1024.abs After the loss of an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in February 1989 at the Denver Zoological Gardens (DZG) with very low circulating serum α-tocopherol, a long-term study was initiated with three Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to evaluate the effect of an oral micellized, water-soluble, natural source d-α-tocopherol supplement. Baseline α-tocopherol levels were evaluated […]
Lipid composition, fatty acid profiles, and lipid-soluble antioxidants of eggs of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1008.abs The major lipid classes, their fatty acid profiles, and the amounts of the lipid-soluble components, vitamin E, vitamin A, and carotenoids, were determined for egg yolks of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) with the aim of identifying any features that may potentially impair the adaptation of this endangered species to deteriorations in […]
Serum concentrations of lipids, vitamins A and E, vitamin D metabolites, and carotenoids in nine primate species at four zoos
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:63.3.CO;2-J The purpose of this work was to measure important nutritional status parameters for captive primates, compare those with published data, and look for a link with diet. The nutritional status of nine captive primate species was examined using biochemical analysis. The species were spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza), sooty mangabeys […]
Determination of vitamins D, A, and E in sera and vitamin D in milk from captive and free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus), and 7-dehydrocholesterol levels in skin from captive polar bears
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:43.3.CO;2-4 The difference between serum levels from 36 captive and 56 free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus) for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) was found not to be significant (mean ± SD = 348 ± 215 nmol/L [captive], 360 ± 135 nmol/L [free-ranging], t = 0.30, df = 52.8, P = 0.76), whereas the difference for retinol […]
Plasma tocopherol, retinol, and carotenoid concentrations in free-ranging Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in Chile
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:23.3.CO;2-L Plasma retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations were measured in heparinized blood samples collected from 51 free-ranging adult Humboldt penguins (Sphenicus humboldti) residing at two colonies off the Chilean coast. Thirty samples were collected in April 1992 from penguins inhabiting the Ex-islote de los Pájaros Niños in Algarrobo, Chile. In September 1992, 21 samples were […]
Annual variations in plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels in gentoo and rockhopper penguins
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430120507.abs Blood samples were taken throughout the year from captive gentoo Pygoscelis papua (n = 5) and rockhopper Eudyptes crestatus (n = 10) penguins to measure seasonal variations in retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels. Retinol levels ranged from .58 μg/ml to 1.09 μg/ml and alpha-tocopherol levels from 30.8 μg/ml to 50.7 μg/ml for the gentoo […]
Life history trade-offs are influenced by the diversity, availability and interactions of dietary antioxidants
The expression of most life history traits, such as immunity, growth and the development of sexual signals, is negatively affected by high levels of oxidative stress. Dietary antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and have therefore been the focus of numerous studies in behavioural and evolutionary ecology in the last few decades. Most of this research […]
Retinol and α-tocopherol concentrations in whole fish commonly fed in zoos and aquariums
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430100204.abs Retinol (n = 17 spp.) and α-tocopherol (n = 9 spp.) concentrations in whole fish utilized for captive animal feeding programs were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following routine storage and preparation after commercial purchase by two zoological institutions. Vitamin A activity was calculated from retinol values and ranged from 55 IU/100 […]