Vitamin D metabolites 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D and kidney function indicesand the relationship to diet in Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii)

In Brookfield Zoo's Goeldi's monkey colony, a large number of deaths relate d to renal disease has been documented. Review of post-mortem results from Goeldi's monkeys in the past 20 years revealed that in deaths of animals ov er 18 months of age, renal disease was a primary pathologic diagnosis. Alth ough the nutrient requirements of Goeldi's monkeys have not been described, these primates have been fed a diet containing a commercial marmoset diet that contained vitamin D3 at concentrations approximately seven times that of the traditional canned primate diet. The purpose of this study was to ex amine the vitamin D status of these animals and, if possible, link it with indices of kidney function. Samples were collected from 56 animals ranging from 18 months to 16 years of age. These samples were analyzed for blood ur ea nitrogen (BUN):creatinine ratio, BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit , sodium, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, bilirubin, protein, albumin, alka line phosphatase, chloride, and vitamin D metabolites; 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH) (2)D. Blood values showed some significant differences among animals. Many of the differences were linked with age and gender. Males had higher BUN th an females and the ratios of BUN to creatinine were higher than in females. This points to a potentially greater problem in males with respect to kidn ey function. The youngest animals had higher 25(OH)D than older animals and females had higher 1,25(OH2)D than males. The absolute levels of vitamin D metabolites were lower than those previously reported for Callitrichids. C onclusions were that 1) this Goeldi's monkey population had kidney dysfunct ion to some level, especially in males, 2) vitamin D metabolites normally f ound in Goeldi's monkeys were lower than other New World monkeys, 3) althou gh dietary vitamin D did not cause the renal problems, the renal dysfunctio n may have influenced the vitamin D metabolites. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.