Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Vitamin E Concentrations in Bearded Dragons, Pogona vitticeps

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances are an unfortunate sequela to improper feeding and husbandry of exotic pets. The dietary requirements for many vitamins and minerals have not been established in captive reptiles. Clinical signs of limb paresis and ataxia unresponsive to vitamin D3 or calcium have been observed in bearded dragons, Pogona vitticeps, and some clinicians hypothesize that it may be caused by vitamin E-selenium deficiency. The purposes of this study were 1) to measure plasma vitamin E concentrations and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in bearded dragons eating different diets, and 2) to determine whether the paresis syndrome recognized in these animals is caused by vitamin E or selenium deficiency. Plasma α-tocopherol concentrations and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity were measured in 34 healthy and one clinically affected captive bearded dragons. Mean concentrations for α-tocopherol (23.23 ± 18.63 μmol/L) and glutathione peroxidase activity (209.02 ± 72.6...