Serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, vitamins A and E, and carotenoids in six canid and four ursid species at four zoos

Nutritional status for six captive canid species (n = 34) and four captive ursid species (n = 18) were analyzed. The species analyzed included: Africa n wild dog (Lycaon pictus), arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), gray wolf (Canis l upus), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baleiy i), red wolf (Canis rufus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), polar bear (Ursus ma ritimus), spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), and sun bear (Ursus malayan us). Diet information was collected for these animals from each participati ng zoo (Brookfield Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens, an d North Carolina Zoological Park). The nutritional composition of the diet for each species at each institution met probable dietary requirements. Blo od samples were collected from each animal and analyzed for vitamin D metab olites 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)(2)D, vitamin A (retinol, retinyl stearate, reti nyl palmitate), vitamin E (alpha -tocopherol and gamma -tocopherol) and sel ected carotenoids. Family differences were found for 25(OH)D, retinol, reti nyl stearate, retinyl palmitate and gamma -tocopherol. Species differences were found for all detectable measurements. Carotenoids were not detected i n any species. The large number of animals contributing to these data, prov ides a substantial base for comparing the nutritional status of healthy ani mals and the differences among them. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rig hts reserved.