The effect of iron supplementation in the diet of Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) armadillos in captivity

Abstract

Armadillos of the species Dasypus novemcinctus have been used as an experimental model of leprosy. Besides nonhuman primates, they are the only species naturally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and when experimentally inoculated, reproduce the lepromatous form of the disease producing large quantities of bacilli. This species has been maintained in captivity by numerous researchers and specific housing and feeding requirements have been developed to guarantee their survival during long experimental periods. In the "Lauro de Souza Lima" Institute, armadillos receive dog food, ground beef, boiled eggs and vitamin C. However, despite the balanced diet, anemia has been observed in some captive animals, especially in armadillos inoculated with M. leprae in advanced stages of infection. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of iron sulfate supplementation in the feed provided for armadillos, both inoculated and non-inoculated with M. leprae, by means of the evaluation of their hematological profile. Fourteen armadillos received 10 mg/animal of iron sulfate (Hematofer ® ) diluted in sterile water mixed with their daily feed for 50 days. Hemograms and serum iron dosages for each armadillo were performed before and after supplementation. The hematocrit values increased significantly after iron supplementation, both in armadillos inoculated and non-inoculated with M. leprae. It is possible that the amount of iron in the feed is insufficient for the formation of hemoglobin, leading to microcytic anemia. Dietary supplementation with iron sulfate reversed this state, showing the importance of understanding the metabolism of exotic species for their maintenance in captivity, and thus ensuring their well-being.Keywords: Dasypus novemcinctus, hematological profile, armadillos, iron supplementation, Mycobacterium leprae. O efeito da suplementação com ferro na dieta de tatus Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) em cativeiroResumo O tatu da espécie Dasypus novemcinctus tem sido utilizado como modelo experimental para a hanseníase. Eles são a única espécie, além de primatas não humanos, que se apresentam naturalmente infectados pelo Mycobacterium leprae. Estes tatus, quando experimentalmente inoculados, reproduzem a forma virchoviana da hanseníase produzindo grandes quantidades de bacilos. Esta espécie tem sido mantida em cativeiro por vários pesquisadores, no entanto, alguns cuidados são necessários para garantir a sobrevivência destes por longos períodos experimentais, tais como alojamento e alimentação. No Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, os animais em cativeiro recebem ração canina, carne bovina, ovos cozidos e vitamina C, mesmo assim, tem-se observado o desenvolvimento de quadros de anemia nestes animais, principalmente nos inoculados com o M. leprae, em estados avançados da infecção. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação com sulfato ferroso na alimentação fornecida aos tatus, inoculados e não inoculados com M. leprae, por meio de avaliação de seu per...

Search for Mycobacterium leprae in wild mammals

“…However, it is admitted that the armadillos may show an immune status similar to that of some patients with tuberculosis, in which the disease is auto-limited. 12,20,21 In that case, however, armadillos would remain for some time with high IgM antibody titles against PGL-1 antigen. The study of Deps et al(2007), using ML-flow, may reflect this situation.…”

“…After necropsy the animal showed granulomas in the liver, spleen (3.06x10 9 bacilli/g), lymph nodes, lungs, adrenals glands, and skin. 20,21 Wild armadillos. A total of 44 wild armadillos of four different species (D. novemcinctus n = 18; E. sexcintus n = 22; C. tatouay n = 02; C. unicinctus n = 02), young adults, males and females, weights varying from 3.5 kg to 6.5 kg were studied.…”

The ancient armadillo

“…Some armadillos are insectivores, but many species, like those of the genus Dasypus, also feed on fruits, roots and small vegetables. Armadillos swallow their prey together with soil particles, which provide iron 1 .…”

Intake and digestibility of two diets for nine‐banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus: Linnaeus, 1758) kept under human care

“…Armadillos' diet in the wild is composed primarily of invertebrates, besides fruits, small vertebrates, eggs, rotten meat, and fungi, with a seasonal rotation according to the availability of food items (Medri et al, 2006; Rosa et al, 2009; Silva et al, 2015; Vaz et al, 2012; Whitaker et al, 2012). Food consumed by armadillos has low energy content (McNab, 2008; Superina, Brieva, et al, 2014), and the protein requirement for the species is high (around 22%) (Ramsey et al, 1981).…”

“…However, the dietary handling of captive armadillos is challenging. There are reports of mixed diets, but in most cases, without evaluation of these diets (Arruda & Opromolla, 1981; Balderas et al, 2012; Carvalho et al, 1997; Giacometti et al, 1972; Loughry & McDonough, 2013; Loughry et al, 2015; Ramsey et al, 1981; Rosa et al, 2009; Superina, Pagnutti, et al, 2014; Truman, 2008).…”