BLOOD VITAMINS AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN NORTHERN-EAST AFRICAN CHEETAHS (ACINONYX JUBATUS SOEMMERINGII) IN CAPTIVITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract:  There are few published data regarding the endangered Northern-East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii), held in captivity in the Middle East and Europe. Studies have demonstrated a high incidence of disease in captive cheetahs, in which vitamin and trace element imbalances have often been implicated. Blood vitamin and trace element reference values in cheetahs merit further investigation. In this study, blood samples were opportunistically collected from apparently healthy A. j. soemmeringii from two collections (A and B) with successful breeding programs in the United Arab Emirates. The cheetahs were fed whole prey of mixed species (and, in Collection B, goat muscle and bone as well) dusted with vitamin and mineral supplements. Mean serum vitamin and trace element values (for cheetahs > 4 mo in age) were as follows: vitamin A (retinol), 2.20 μM/L (n = 27); vitamin B1, 0.0818 μM/L (n = 45); vitamin C, 28.6 μM/L (n = 10); vitamin E (α-tocopherol), 35.6 μM/L (n = 27); copper (Cu), 12...