Susceptibility of tamarin (Saguinus labiatus) red blood cell membrane lipids to oxidative stress: implications for wasting marmoset syndrome

Abstract

Captive Callitrichids frequently suffer a fatal wasting disease, wasting marmoset syndrome (WMS), of unexplained cause. This paper describes studies on the erythrocytes from animals in a breeding colony of tamarins (Saguinus labiatus), in which deaths from anaemia and wasting were occurring, to seek evidence for biochemical changes which could lead to oxidative damage and premature cell lysis. In only one animal of 33 studied did the red blood cell lipids show an increased susceptibility to oxidative damage. This animal, with some degree of certainty, could be diagnosed as having WMS. It was concluded that evidence for a primary deficiency of antioxidants as a cause of unexplained deaths, or WMS, in the colony could not at present be substantiated.

Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System

“…In one survey of zoos, no fewer than 10 causes were proposed by survey respondents [96]. In some cases, subsequent investigations have contradicted previous assertions [97].…”

Identification of possible nutritional and stress risk factors in the development of marmoset wasting syndrome

“…Vitamin E deficiency has also been hypothesized to cause myopathies associated with MWS (Murgatroyd & Chalmers, 1980). Vitamin E and selenium supplementations have been recommended to prevent pathology associated with MWS using their anti-oxidative properties (Chalmers, Murgatroyd, & Wadsworth, 1983;David, Dick, & Hubbard, 2009;Gutteridge, Taffs, Hawkey, & Rice-Evans, 1986).…”

“…Vitamin E deficiency has also been hypothesized to cause myopathies associated with MWS (Murgatroyd & Chalmers, ). Vitamin E and selenium supplementations have been recommended to prevent pathology associated with MWS using their anti‐oxidative properties (Chalmers, Murgatroyd, & Wadsworth, ; David, Dick, & Hubbard, ; Gutteridge, Taffs, Hawkey, & Rice‐Evans, ). Vitamin levels of affected individual's diets were inspected and found in recommended concentrations, which does not support this hypothesis (Murgatroyd & Chalmers, ).…”

Improving the energy and nutrient supply for common marmoset monkeys fed under long‐term laboratory conditions

“…In addition, requirement standards for the trace elements copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, cobalt, fluorine, and molybdenum in common marmosets are not available in the literature. Databases for iodine [13] and iron [11,14,15] requirements and recommendations to meet the vitamin requirements of common marmosets [3,11,12,[16][17][18][19][20] are also scarce in the literature.…”