This research (involving two separate institutions) assessed the serum chemistries and body weights of meerkats (Suricata suricatta) over a 6-10-week feeding trial to determine the acceptability of a commercially available manufactured diet intended for the feeding of insectivorous animals. Five animals at two zoos were heavier than desired and otherwise healthy at the start of the studies. Measurements of blood chemistries including cholesterol and cell blood count remained within physiologic expected ranges throughout the short-term study. Plasma and serum amino acid levels also remained within normal expected ranges, except taurine, which was much higher than predicted, although there were no significant changes in taurine over time. After initiation of the 6-week trial, these trials were extended for longer-term evaluation of animals in regards to body weight maintenance. In the long-term study, some individuals were restricted in their access to diet, and achieved a beneficial weight loss while maintaining good health. Approximate dietary consumption for captive meerkats in our study averaged 32-44 g, or calculated 92-127 kcal GE/meerkat*day (83-114 kcal ME/meerkat*day), and weight loss of animals at one institution of 10.4% was accomplished over 151 days from day 0, at approximately 30 g, or calculated 86 kcal GE/meerkat*day (78 kcal ME/meerkat*day).
We previously reported that the plasma beta‐endorphin of bulimics who vomit was higher than in normal controls. In this report data are presented which show that bulimics who do not vomit have plasma beta‐endorphin levels similar to controls. It is postulated that the increased levels of plasma beta‐endorphin in the bulimics who vomit is due to the stress of vomiting or to increased caloric intake.
Previous studies by the authors have suggested an increased plasma beta‐endorphin response to glucose ingestion in obese subjects compared with controls. The present study confirms these earlier findings and demonstrates a parallel increase in plasma ACTH in obese subjects compared with normal‐weight controls. It seems likely that this response is the result of increased production of beta‐endorphin by the pituitary. Suggestions for further research are made.
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