Nutritional management of Old World primates with special consideration for vitamin D

Abstract

The diversity of Old World primate species means that successful nutritional management should be based on species‐specific studies of feeding ecologies, gut morphologies and nutrient requirements. The effects of food availability and social influences should also be considered. Multi‐species exhibits and group feeding contribute to the challenge of meeting the nutritional requirements of both a species and individuals. Current concerns about primates maintained in captivity which continue to exhibit signs of vitamin D deficiencies are discussed. If a systematic approach is used to formulate appropriate species‐specific diets it should be possible to provide a nutritionally balanced diet for Old World primates maintained in captivity.

Vitamin D status in chimpanzees in human care: a Europe wide study

“…Though some natural variation occurs with age and sun exposure, chimpanzees commonly have dark skin pigmentation, which may affect their ability to synthesise vitamin D when living outside their natural distribution range 27 . Although reference intervals for serum 25-OHD have not yet been established in non-human great apes, some small-scale studies suggest that both juvenile and adult captive chimpanzees may suffer from vitamin D deficiencies despite vitamin D supplementation 28 – 31 . At one US institution, chimpanzees housed in indoor-only enclosures had significantly lower vitamin D levels than chimpanzees with daily outdoor access 28 .…”

Welfare, husbandry and veterinary care of wild animals in captivity: changes in attitudes, progress in knowledge and techniques

“…Some discoveries have had a huge impact. For example, although there are many thriving populations of New World primates in captivity now, before the discovery that these primates differed from their Old World relatives in being unable to utilize vitamin D, and in requiring dietary vitamin D,, there had, not surprisingly, been little success in maintaining and breeding marmosets and tamarins in captivity (Hunt et al, 1967;Crissey et al, 1998;Crissey & Pribyl, 2000).…”

Vitamin D status in chimpanzees in human care: a Europe wide study

“…In chimpanzees, areas of skin covered with hair are generally only lightly pigmented, but areas of exposed skin such as the face vary greatly in pigmentation and become darker with age and sun exposure 27 . Although reference intervals for serum 25-OHD have not yet been established in non-human great apes, some small-scale studies suggest that both juvenile and adult captive chimpanzees may suffer from vitamin D de ciencies despite vitamin D supplementation [28][29][30][31] . At one US institution, chimpanzees housed in indoor-only enclosures had signi cantly lower vitamin D levels than chimpanzees with daily outdoor access 28 .…”