Vitamin D status in chimpanzees in human care: a Europe wide study

Moittié, Sophie; Jarvis, Rachel; Bandelow, Stephan; Byrne, Sarah; Dobbs, Phillipa; Grant, Melissa; Reeves, Christopher; White, Kate; Liptovszky, Mátyás; Baiker, Kerstin

Abstract

While vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern in humans, comparatively little is known about vitamin D levels in non-human primates. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in overall health and its deficiency is associated with a range of disorders, including cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in great apes. 25 Serum samples (n=245) from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed at 32 European zoos were measured for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Of these samples, 33.1% indicated inadequate vitamin D status, using the human reference interval (25-OHD<50 nmol/L). The season of the year, health status of the animal, and the provision of daily outdoor access had a significant effect on vitamin D status. This is the first 30 large-scale study on vitamin D status of non-human great apes in human care. Inadequate 25-OHD serum concentrations are widespread in the chimpanzee population in Europe and could be a risk factor for the development of idiopathic myocardial fibrosis, a major cause of mortality in this species, as well as other diseases. A review of husbandry and nutrition practices is recommended to ensure optimal vitamin D supply for these endangered animals. 35

Citation

Moittié, S., Jarvis, R., Bandelow, S., Byrne, S., Dobbs, P., Grant, M., Reeves, C., White, K., Liptovszky, M., & Baiker, K. (2022). Vitamin D status in chimpanzees in human care: a Europe wide study. Scientific Reports, 12, Article 17625. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21211-6

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 21, 2022
• Publication Date: Oct 21, 2022
• Deposit Date: Oct 12, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 2, 2022
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Article Number: 17625
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21211-6
• Keywords: Great apes; chimpanzees; cardiovascular; zoo; cardiac fibrosis; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; UVB; Pan troglodytes 20
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/12324099
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-21211-6