Serum indices of body stores of iron in northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and their relationship to hemochromatosis

Iron storage disease (hemochromatosis) has been reported in many species of both captive and free‐ranging animals. In this study we examined the relationship between this disease and concentrations of iron analytes in aquarium‐held northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). Sera were analyzed for iron, total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, ceruloplasmin, and haptoglobin concentrations in a retrospective study that included samples taken over a 14‐year period. The animals ranged in age from <1 year to an estimated 23 years. Serum ferritin was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for canine sera. The results from this assay are the first reported for any pinniped. Serum iron concentrations in presumed healthy animals ranged from 37 to 196 µg/dl, and TIBC ranged from 136 to 484 µg/dl. The transferrin saturation percentage differed significantly between male (41%) and female (63%) adult fur seals, as did the ferritin levels (54 ng/ml for males vs. 500 ng/ml for females). There was a trend toward increased serum ferritin and percent transferrin saturation with age, especially in females. The data also showed a relationship between serum iron and transferrin saturation among eight mother–pup pairs, which suggests that pups may develop increased iron levels due to placental transfer of iron and/or transfer of iron through the milk from iron‐overloaded females. Diet was considered as a factor in the development of hemochromatosis in at least three geriatric female northern fur seals, and their diets were analyzed for iron concentrations. On the basis of these results, the diets were altered by replacing a portion of the high‐iron‐content fish (herring) with a lower‐iron‐content item (squid), and discontinuing iron and vitamin C supplementation (via a multivitamin tablet). Sera were analyzed before, and 1 and 4 years after the dietary changes were implemented. Paired t‐tests showed no significant changes in the iron analytes from pre‐ to post‐diet‐change samples, which indicates that it may be too late to affect iron levels by diet alone in older animals with a chronic history of elevated iron levels. Zoo Biol 23:205–218, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Photo-identification and satellite telemetry connect southern right whales from South Georgia Island (Islas Georgias del Sur) with multiple feeding and calving grounds in the southwest Atlantic

The sub-Antarctic waters of South Georgia Island (Islas Georgias del Sur, SG/IG) are a regularly visited feeding ground for southern right whales (Eubalaena australis, SRW) in the southwest Atlantic. Satellite telemetry and photo-identification records were compared to better understand the role of SG/IG in the SRW migratory network. We present the first insights from SRW satellite-tracked from the SG/IG feeding ground, habitat use patterns in the Scotia Arc, and movements to Antarctic habitats. Photo-identification comparisons to calving and feeding areas across the South Atlantic and a review of sightings of cetaceans reported from Bird Island (west of SG/IG) since 1979 illuminate long-term habitat use patterns in SG/IG. We present the first recorded migratory movement between SG/IG and multiple countries: Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Photo-identification (1) linked SG/IG to a female SRW with a long-term sighting history in Brazil, and (2) provided the first match between SG/IG and the western Antarctic Peninsula, suggesting the latter could extend the feeding area for southwest Atlantic SRW. Satellite tracking and opportunistic sightings suggest that shelf and coastal waters west of SG/IG represent an important multi-season SRW feeding habitat and add to our overall understanding of habitats and ranges occupied by recovering southwest Atlantic SRW.     

Field Anesthesia and Health Assessment of Free-ranging <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cebus capucinus</Emphasis> in Panama

Health and disease are critical factors for understanding primate evolution and for developing effective conservation and management strategies. However, comprehensive health assessments of wild primate populations are rare, in part because of the difficulty and risk of chemically immobilizing subjects to obtain the necessary biological samples. We report here the results of a health assessment, as well as the methods and drug dosages used to capture white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We captured and measured 24 capuchins as part of an ongoing radiotelemetry study, and collected biological samples from 9 of them for a comprehensive health survey. Telazol® was very effective for immobilizing and capturing capuchins, although the doses we used were higher than those recommended for captive capuchins. High Telazol doses immobilized individuals quickly, ensuring that we were able to find and recover the sedated monkeys. The capuchins were generally in good condition, and had few ecto-, hemo-, or intestinal parasites. However, all but 1 of the adults had substantial dental abnormalities. In addition, 1 juvenile had indeterminate genitalia that we believe to be the result of hypospadias. Seven of the capuchins tested positive for exposure to Herpesvirus tamarinus and all individuals tested positive for exposure to Cebus cytomegalovirus. Hematology, serum chemistry, and plasma mineral levels from the wild individuals were, for the most part, comparable to those recorded for captive Cebus capucinus, and contribute to establishing baseline health values for the species.     

Serum Retinol,alpha‐tocopherol,and lipids in four species of adult captive pinnipeds

The sera of adult aquarium‐held pinnipeds from four species (family Phocidae: harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus); family Otariidae: northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)) were analyzed for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and fatty acids. Each subject animal was healthy at the time of blood collection, was fasted for at least 12 hr prior to sampling, and was maintained on a constant diet and supplement regime throughout the study. Retinol values for the four species ranged from 0.16 to 0.92 μg/mL, with the lowest concentrations seen in the harbor seals and the highest in the northern fur seals. Vitamin E values ranged from 10.55 to 43.58 μg/mL, with northern fur seals showing the highest and gray seals the lowest levels. Vitamin E/lipid ratios (cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and total lipids) were also examined. A significant correlation was seen between vitamin E and total lipids (P<0.05) and phospholipid (P<0.01). Statistical analysis of the retinol, tocopherol, triglyceride, and phospholipid levels showed significant differences between phocid and otariid seals. Otariids had significantly lower tocopherol and phospholipid values (19.36 μg/mL, 4.29 mg/mL) and the phocids had significantly lower retinol and triglyceride levels (0.29 μg/mL, 124 mg/dL). There was no significant difference in serum cholesterol. Zoo Biol 22:83–96, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The Mitochondrial Chaperone TRAP1 Promotes Neoplastic Growth by Inhibiting Succinate Dehydrogenase

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Absorption and Ocular Deposition of Dietary Lutein in Marine Mammals

Cataracts and ocular disease are common lesions of marine mammals in zoological collections. Lutein, an oxygenated carotenoid, may have therapeutic or prophylactic effects on ocular disorder. Therefore, this study examined the ability of marine mammals to absorb dietary lutein. Two preliminary trials examined lutein in two forms (beadlet or ester) in a small sample size of marine mammals representing pinnipeds and cetaceans. Lutein was fed daily in tablets providing 0.89–3.6 mg lutein/kg body weight^0.75 per day for 15 days to 2 years. A third study was conducted using lutein beadlet fed at 3.6 mg lutein/kg body weight^0.75 per day for 15–21 days. Blood was analyzed for lutein pre‐ and postsupplementation. In the preliminary trials, lutein beadlet was observed to result in greater blood lutein levels than lutein esters, and cetaceans had more noticeable responses than pinnipeds. In Study 3, serum lutein and zeaxanthin increased postsupplementation in beluga whales (P < 0.05), and serum lutein tended to increase postsupplementation in dolphins (P < 0.10), but little change was seen in serum lutein in pinnipeds or manatee. Opportunistic retinal samples demonstrated some detectable lutein in the retina of a dolphin and several harp seals. The lutein levels in dolphins after supplementation are similar to those reported in free‐ranging animals. Ocular lutein in harp seals demonstrates that ocular deposition occurs despite low circulating lutein levels. Zoo Biol. 32:316–323, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to quantitate serum ferritin in the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus)

Serum ferritin concentration correlates with tissue iron stores in humans, horses, calves, dogs, cats, and pigs. Serum ferritin is considered the best serum analyte to predict total body iron stores in these species, and is more reliable than serum iron or total iron‐binding capacity, both of which may be affected by disorders unrelated to iron adequacy or excess (including hypoproteinemia, chronic infection, hemolytic anemia, hypothyroidism, renal disease, and drug administration). Iron overload has been documented to result in hemochromatosis in captive northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus); therefore, we developed an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure serum ferritin in this species. The assay uses two murine anti‐canine ferritin monoclonal antibodies in a sandwich arrangement that was originally used in an ELISA to measure serum ferritin in dogs. Ferritin isolated from fur seal liver was used as a standard. Ferritin standards were linear from 0 to 50 ng/ml. Recovery of purified ferritin from fur seal serum varied from 89% to 99%. The within‐assay variability was 6%, and the assay‐to‐assay variability for two different samples was 10% and 16%. Zoo Biol 23:79‐84, 2004.© 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.