Alpha-Tocopherol in Captive Falcons: Reference Values and Dietary Impact

ABSTRACT To determine reference values for plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in falcons and to investigate a possible dietary impact, 29 falcons were randomly selected from a collection of 500 captive breeding falcons fed with 4-week-old chicks. Blood samples collected from each falcon were analyzed for plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Reference values were 16.7–46.1 mg/L with a mean plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration of 27.5 ± 8.7 mg/L. A group of 5 gyr-saker falcon hybrids (Falco rusticolus × Falco cherrug) were fed 1-day-old chicks for 4 weeks; the resultant mean plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration was 34.9 ± 5.6 mg/L. When the diet was changed to turkey breast meat for 4 weeks, the mean plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration decreased significantly to 13.1 ± 2.6 mg/L. Results appeared to support the influence of diet on plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in falcons.

[1]  I. Mikaelian,et al.  Pansteatitis in a free-ranging red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). , 1999, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

[2]  J. Sleeman,et al.  Vitamin E deficiency and pansteatitis in juvenile boat-billed herons (Cochlearius cochlearius). , 1999, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

[3]  F. Schweigert,et al.  Vitamin A (Retinol and Retinyl Esters), α‐Tocopherol and Lipid Levels in Plasma of Captive Wild Mammals and Birds1 , 1991 .

[4]  J. Soares,et al.  Vitamin E deficiency in the Japanese quail. , 1980, Poultry science.

[5]  Si-Kwang Liu,et al.  Cardiomyopathy and vitamin E deficiency in zoo animals and birds , 2005, Heart and Vessels.

[6]  N. Clum,et al.  Nutrient content of five species of domestic animals commonly fed to captive raptors , 1997 .

[7]  M. Heidenreich,et al.  Birds of prey : medicine and management , 1997 .

[8]  N. Clum,et al.  Effects of diet on nutritional content of whole vertebrate prey , 1996 .

[9]  F. Schweigert,et al.  Vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters), alpha-tocopherol and lipid levels in plasma of captive wild mammals and birds. , 1991, Zentralblatt fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A.

[10]  Cal Sandfort,et al.  Influence of Diet on Plasma Vitamin E in Captive Peregrine Falcons , 1989 .

[11]  E. Dierenfeld,et al.  SERUM a-TOCOPHEROL IN RAPTORS FED VITAMIN E-SUPPLEMENTED DIETS , 1989 .

[12]  E. Dierenfeld.  VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY IN ZOO REPTILES, BIRDS, AND UNGULATES , 1989 .