Several disease syndromes in captive rhinoceroses have been linked to low vitamin status. Blood samples from captive and free-ranging black (Diceros bicornis) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and tissue samples of captive individuals from four rhinoceros species were analysed for vitamins A and E. Circulating vitamin A levels measured as retinol for free-ranging versus captive black and white rhinoceros were 0.04 (±0.03 SD) vs. 0.08 (±0.08) and 0.07 (±0.04) vs. 0.06 (±0.02) μg/ml, respectively. Circulating vitamin E levels measured as α-tocopherol were 0.58 (±0.30) vs. 0.84 (±0.96) and 0.62 (±0.48) vs. 0.77 (±0.32) μg/ml, respectively. In contrast to earlier findings, there was no significant difference in vitamin E concentration between captive and free-ranging black rhinoceros. When the samples of captive black rhinoceros were grouped into those taken before 1990 and after 1990, however, those collected before 1990 had significantly lower (P < 0.001) vitamin E levels (0.46 ± 0.83 μg/ml) and those collected in 1990 or later significantly higher (P < 0.001) vitamin E levels (1.03 ± 1.04 μg/ml) than the captive population as a whole. This is probably due to increased dietary supplementation. There were significant differences in circulating vitamin concentrations in black rhinoceroses from different regions in the wild. Serum 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D3 averaged 55.7 ng/ml in free-ranging rhinoceroses; no carotenoids were detected in any blood samples. Captive black and white rhinoceroses appear to be adequately supplemented in vitamin A and E. Captive Indian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) had significantly lower vitamin A concentrations in blood (P < 0.001) and higher vitamin A concentrations in liver tissue samples (P < 0.001) than other rhinoceros species. Equine requirements are not recommended as a model for rhinoceros vitamin requirements.
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April 01 2002
FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS IN BLOOD AND TISSUES OF FREE-RANGING AND CAPTIVE RHINOCEROS
Marcus Clauss;
Marcus Clauss
1 Institute of Animal Physiology, Physiological Chemistry and Animal Nutrition, Ludwig–Maximillians-University, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
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David A. Jessup;
David A. Jessup
2 International Wildlife Veterinary Services, 1451 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
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Edward B. Norkus;
Edward B. Norkus
3 Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, 600 E. 233rd Street, Bronx, New York 10466, USA
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Tai C. Chen;
Tai C. Chen
4 Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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Michael F. Holick;
Michael F. Holick
4 Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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W. Juergen Streich;
W. Juergen Streich
5 Institute of Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research (IZW) Berlin, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
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Ellen S. Dierenfeld
Ellen S. Dierenfeld
7
6 Department of Nutrition, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10460, USA
7 Corresponding author (email: edierenfeld@wcs.org)
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J Wildl Dis (2002) 38 (2): 402–413.
Article history
Received:
January 16 2001
Citation
Marcus Clauss, David A. Jessup, Edward B. Norkus, Tai C. Chen, Michael F. Holick, W. Juergen Streich, Ellen S. Dierenfeld; FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS IN BLOOD AND TISSUES OF FREE-RANGING AND CAPTIVE RHINOCEROS. J Wildl Dis 1 April 2002; 38 (2): 402–413. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-38.2.402
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