Abstract
Neurological signs like ataxia and hind limb paresis have often been reported in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), lions (Panthera leo) and snow leopards (Panthera unica). As a cause, copper and Vitamin A deficiencies have been discussed. Many cases were seen in cheetahs and lions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the last years. The aim of this study was to find correlations between nutrition, serum, and tissue levels, focusing on copper and Vitamin A. Blood and tissue samples of affected and unaffected animals were analyzed at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai, UAE. Animals were split into three different groups (A, B and C) according to their diets. Minerals were determined in serum, tissue, food and water samples, and serum was additionally analyzed for Vitamin A and E. Liver, kidney and spinal cord samples were taken for histopathological investigations. Mean serum copper and liver copper levels of animals fed pure chicken muscle meat without supplements were significantly lower (0.41 ± 0.71 μM/L; 2.16 ± 0.95 ppm wet weight) than in animals fed a whole carcass prey diet (12.16 ± 3.42 μM/L; 16.01 ± 17.51 ppm wet weight) (p < 0.05). Serum Vitamin A and E levels were highest in animals fed whole carcass prey diets (1.85 ± 0.68; 27.31 ± 5.69 μM/L). Liver zinc concentrations were highest in animals fed pure chicken meat only (43.75 ± 16.48 ppm wet weight). In histopathology, demyelination of the spinal cord was found in all of the affected animals and most commonly when fed a diet based on poultry without supplements.
Highlights
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element and is required for a number of body functions like hemoglobin synthesis, myelination of the nerve sheaths, mineralization of the skeleton, cross linking of elastin and collagen, as well as a constituent of several enzymes [1]-[3]
Dietary factors have been found as possible contributors to a number of health issues in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) [6]-[13] and other captive bred felids like lions (Panthera leo) [14]-[18] and snow leopards (Panthera unica) [13] [19]
The neurological disease in cheetahs, characterized by degenerative lesions of the spinal cord, causing ataxia and paresis is called “cheetah encephalomyelopathy” [39]. This disease is responsible for 25% of all deaths in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) cheetah population [39] the exact etiology is still uncertain [13]
Summary
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element and is required for a number of body functions like hemoglobin synthesis, myelination of the nerve sheaths, mineralization of the skeleton, cross linking of elastin and collagen, as well as a constituent of several enzymes [1]-[3]. It plays a synergistic and antagonistic role in other minerals and vitamins. Cu deficiency is assumed to affect the central nervous system causing demyelination of nerves in the spinal cord and ataxia and other neurological signs [4] [5]. Deficiencies of the trace element Cu [20] [21] [29] [30] and VA [14] [23] have been discussed
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