Circulating levels of alpha-tocopherol and retinol in free-ranging Africanelephants (Loxodonta africana)

To date, there are no detailed reports of circulating levels of plasma alph a-tocopherol and retinol for large samples of free-ranging African elephant s (Loxodonta africana). This survey study measured natural circulating leve ls of alpha-tocopherol as a measure of vitamin E activity and retinol as an indicator of vitamin A activity, in 70 free-ranging African elephants capt ured at Kruger National Park as part of a translocation program. Mean level s of a-tocopherol and retinol were found to be 0.613 +/- 0.271 mu g/mL and 0.039 +/- 0.007 mu g/mL, respectively, and did not vary significantly acros s sex or age class. Elephants appear to normally have low circulating level s of both these nutrients compared with domestic herbivore species; values from healthy, free-ranging elephant populations may provide useful data for assessing nutrient status of captive animals. Zoo Biol 18:319-323, 1999. ( C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.