Serum Nutritional Profiles of Free-Ranging Alouatta Caraya in Northern Argentina: Lipoproteins; Amino Acids; Vitamins A, D, and E; Carotenoids; and Minerals

Abstract

Quantifying circulating nutrient concentrations in sera of free-ranging subjects will help to establish a basis from which we can evaluate the nutritional status and needs of the captive population. We collected serum samples from 26 free-ranging black-and-gold howlers (Alouatta caraya) in San Cayetano forest in northern Argentina. We analyzed them for concentrations of lipoproteins; amino Int J Primatol (acids; vitamins A, D, and E; carotenoids; and minerals. There are a few significant differences between sexes in concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, certain amino acids, vitamin E, lutein + zeaxanthin, and copper. Most nutritional parameters are similar to the ones measured in free-ranging Mexican mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata mexicana) and in captive New World primates (NWPs). Carotenoid, vitamin D, and phosphorus concentrations are the exceptions. Carotenoid concentrations are higher in free-ranging Alouatta caraya than reported for other free-ranging and captive species. Vitamin D concentrations are 14 times greater in the free-ranging black-and-gold howlers than in captive NWPs. Phosphorus concentrations are also higher than expected and higher than typically occur in captive primates, leading to a 1:1.6 calcium:phosphorus ratio. Because we based our study on a small number of free-ranging howlers, additional samples from different regions and throughout the year would better define desirable nutritional parameters for captive howlers.

Howler Monkeys

“…In terms of length and weight, as expected based on previous studies (e.g., Schmidt et al 2007 ;Rovirosa-Hernández et al 2012 ), we found that males are larger and heavier than females in the three studied species. In relation to hematological parameters between sexes, we found signifi cantly lower values in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and 195 RBC count in females of the three species as compared to males.…”

“…In general, values of cholesterol and triglycerides in both species from Tabasco were similar to those previously reported for A. palliata mexicana in Veracruz, Mexico (Crissey et al 2003 ), and A. caraya in Argentina (Schmidt et al 2007 ). In contrast, the cholesterol values were higher in A. pigra males from Campeche in comparison to A. pigra and A. palliata from Tabasco.…”

“…We provide a synopsis on blood parameters found in gold and black howler monkeys ( A. caraya ) in two sites: a fragmented forest of Alto Rio Paraná, southern Brazil (Flaiban et al 2008 ), and a fl ooded forest of northern Argentina (Schmidt et al 2007 ).…”

“…Eosinophil count was higher in adult males than in females ( P ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, Table 7.6 shows the blood chemistry parameters for Argentinean A. caraya (Schmidt et al 2007 ). The adults showed higher values in total protein ( P ≤ 0.05) with respect to juvenile.…”

“…This is probably due to the diffi culties in capturing wild individuals ( Vié et al 1998a ). However, a number of conservation strategies throughout the distribution range of howler monkeys have included the rescue and translocation of individuals (Porter 1971 ;Vié et al 1998a ;de Thoisy et al 2001 ;Richard-Hansen et al 2000 ;Crissey et al 2003 ;Schmidt et al 2007 ;Flaiban et al 2008 ;Rovirosa-Hernández et al 2011, providing researchers with an excellent opportunity to acquire blood samples and analyze hematological parameters of individuals in different contexts.…”