Serum Concentrations of Lipids, Vitamin D Metabolites, Retinol, Retinyl Esters, Tocopherols and Selected Carotenoids in Twelve Captive Wild Felid Species at Four Zoos

Abstract

Serum concentrations of several nutrients were measured in 12 captive wild felid species including caracal (Felis caracal), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), cougar (Felis concolor), fishing cat (Felis viverrinus), leopard (Panthera pardus), lion (Panthera leo), ocelot (Felis pardalis), pallas cat (Felis manul), sand cat (Felis margarita), serval (Felis serval), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and tiger (Panthera tigris). Diet information was collected for these animals from each participating zoo (Brookfield Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens and North Carolina Zoological Park). The nutritional composition of the diets at each institution met the probable dietary requirements for each species except for the pallas cat. Blood samples were collected from each animal (n = 69) and analyzed for lipids (total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol), vitamin D metabolites [25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)(2)D)], vitamin A (retinol, retinyl stearate and retinyl palmitate), vitamin E (alpha- and gamma-tocopherol) and selected carotenoids. Species differences were found for all except triacylglycerides and 1,25(OH)(2)D. Genus differences were found for retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl stearate, gamma-tocopherol and beta-carotene. Circulating nutrient concentrations for many of the species in this study have not been reported previously and most have not been compared with the animals' dietary intakes. The large number of animals analyzed provides a substantial base for comparing the serum nutrient concentrations of healthy animals, for both wild and captive exotic species.

Meeting the Vitamin A Requirement: The Efficacy and Importance ofβ-Carotene in Animal Species

“…In domestic cats, a study found 70 ± 17% of total plasma VA by weight was esterified, and of this, 61 ± 6% was retinyl stearate, 36 ± 13% was retinyl palmitate, and 5 ± 3% was retinyl oleate [18]. In a study surveying serum retinoids in 12 captive wild felid species, retinyl esters, predominantly stearate and palmitate, were detected in the serum of all species measured [27]. However, the proportion of VA present as esters ranged widely from 87% in the sand cat and 48% in the fishing cat to as low as 7% in cheetahs and cougars and 4% in servals.…”

“…Domestic cats consuming commercial diets seem to have very low to no circulating BC [18, 187]. However, Crissey et al [27] found relatively high concentrations of serum BC in 11 captive wild felid species kept in zoos. Dietary carotenoids were not quantified in this study, but regardless, wild felids seem to readily accumulate BC in blood.…”

Congenital vestibular disease in captive Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae) in Australasia

“…Serum vitamin A concentrations measured in four affected and two unaffected Sumatran tiger cubs were slightly below those reported in adult non-domesticated felid species (Ghebremeskel and Williams, 1988;Crissey et al, 2003;McCain et al, 2008). However, in these reports, sample sizes were small, and reference ranges for juvenile non-domesticated felids have not been established.…”

Panthera pardus(Carnivora: Felidae)

“…Serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus (mg/dl) were 10.97 and 3.63, respectively, from 1 female (Singh et al 1999b). Plasma protein and fibrinogen (g/dl) were 8.1 and 0.1, respectively (Jain 1986 (Crissey et al 2003).…”