Serum Retinol, alpha‐tocopherol, and lipids in four species of adult captive pinnipeds

Abstract

The sera of adult aquarium-held pinnipeds from four species (family Phocidae: harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus); family Otariidae: northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)) were analyzed for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (atocopherol), total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and fatty acids. Each subject animal was healthy at the time of blood collection, was fasted for at least 12 hr prior to sampling, and was maintained on a constant diet and supplement regime throughout the study. Retinol values for the four species ranged from 0.16 to 0.92 mg/mL, with the lowest concentrations seen in the harbor seals and the highest in the northern fur seals. Vitamin E values ranged from 10.55 to 43.58 mg/ mL, with northern fur seals showing the highest and gray seals the lowest levels. Vitamin E/lipid ratios (cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and total lipids) were also examined. A significant correlation was seen between vitamin E and total lipids (Po0.05) and phospholipid (Po0.01). Statistical analysis of the retinol, tocopherol, triglyceride, and phospholipid levels showed significant differences between phocid and otariid seals. Otariids had significantly lower tocopherol and phospholipid values (19.36 mg/mL, 4.29 mg/mL) and the phocids had significantly lower retinol and triglyceride levels (0.29 mg/mL, 124 mg/dL).

Absorption and Ocular Deposition of Dietary Lutein in Marine Mammals

“…However, Trial 3 demonstrated that there was no significant reduction in serum vitamin A or E in response to supplementation with lutein, demonstrating that there is no significant competition for absorption between these compounds. The serum retinol values determined in this trial were similar to previous reports for aquarium held harbor seals and California sea lions, but higher than previously reported for Gray seals (Mazzaro et al, ), and provide new data for other marine mammal species. Serum α‐tocopherol values were similar to previous reports for aquarium held gray seals, harbor seals, and California sea lions (Mazzaro et al, ; Schweigert et al, ), and higher than previously reported for beluga whales (free ranging or aquarium held; (Cook et al, ).…”

Steller sea lions Eumetopias jubatus and nutritional stress: evidence from captive studies

“…However, care should be taken in evaluating sea lion health solely on the basis of body mass or composition. There are studies that indicate a low-lipid diet in pinnipeds is associated with other disorders including anaemia (Thompson et al, 1997) and vitamin deficiency (Mazzaro et al, 2003).…”

Obtaining accurate glucose measurements from wild animals under field conditions: comparing a hand held glucometer with a standard laboratory technique in grey seals

“…This is surprising given that suckling pups are likely to have the highest levels of circulating fats ( Schweigert, 1993 ), which can interfere with glucometer performance at high levels ( Heinemann, 2010 ; Lindholm and Altimiras, 2016 ). Reported triglyceride levels in grey seals should be well within the tolerance of the device we used (<34.2 mM: Heinemann, 2010 ), whereas cholesterol levels in postweaned pups could approach levels that cause interference (<18.1 mM: Schweigert, 1993 ; Mazzarro et al ., 2003 ).…”