Variation in blood selenium and serum vitamin E in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) described by location, husbandry, and season

Karyn Bischoff,Joseph Hillebrandt,Jennifer Moiseff,Michael Cary,Gregory Finstad,Hollis Nancy Erb

doi:10.7557/2.37.1.3782

Abstract

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are important livestock for arctic and subarctic herders, including those in North America, but as climate change affects traditional herding practices, alternative methods of rearing (such as captive rearing) will likely become common. Proper nutrition is critical in livestock production, but there is minimal information available on circulating nutrient concentrations in reindeer, who are adapted to a unique climate. This study looks at 2 important antioxidants. Blood and serum were taken from female reindeer from three herds: a free-ranging herd from the Seward Peninsula, Alaska (AK), during the summer, and two captive herds (one in Fairbanks, AK and one in Upstate New York (NY) during the summer and winter. Selenium (Se) and vitamin E concentrations were described stratified on season (when possible), location, and management practices (captive or free range). Herd mean values across seasons for Se ranged from 2.42 to 4.88 µmol/L. Herd mean values across seasons for vitamin E ranged from 5.27 to 6.89 µmol/L.

Highlights

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) is a major livestock species in the arctic and subarctic
Blood and serum were taken from female reindeer from three herds: a freeranging herd from the Seward Peninsula, Alaska (AK), during the summer, and two captive herds (one in Fairbanks, AK and one in Upstate New York (NY) during the summer and winter
Antioxidants like vitamin E and Se are critical for health and reproduction in livestock and deficiency in either one is associated with nutritional muscular dystrophy and fetal and neonatal deaths (Valberg, 2012), but a few studies have found reindeer meat to be a good source of vitamin E and selenium, there is relatively little information on circulating antioxidants in live reindeer (Hassan et al, 2012a, Hassan et al, 2012b)

Summary

Introduction

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) is a major livestock species in the arctic and subarctic. Reindeer meat is a healthy dietary choice because it is relatively low in fat, high in antioxidants such as Se and vitamin E, and high in nutritionally beneficial fatty acids There has been an 80% decrease in the number of reindeer in Alaskan herds since the 1990s (Rattenbury et al, 2009). If reindeer production is to meet the needs of native Alaskans, captive-herd management is a sustainable option. Antioxidants like vitamin E and Se are critical for health and reproduction in livestock and deficiency in either one is associated with nutritional muscular dystrophy and fetal and neonatal deaths (Valberg, 2012), but a few studies have found reindeer meat to be a good source of vitamin E and selenium, there is relatively little information on circulating antioxidants in live reindeer (Hassan et al, 2012a, Hassan et al, 2012b)

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Conclusion