Abstract

After encountering low serum vitamin E levels in some captive bottlenose dolphins in Hawaii, a large number of animals were screened to evaluate these levels. Prior to oral supplementation of 900 IU of dl alpha tocopherol acetate, a group of nine male and female dolphins had mean serum levels of 9.67 ug/mL and 9.20 ug/mL, respectively. After approximately 6 months of supplementation the mean serum level of the males was 15.1 ug/mL and the females, 15.3 ug/mL. The average human serum level is 11 ug/mL with deficiency syndromes evident at 5 ug/mL. Simultaneously, total serum lipids were determined to evaluate their relationship to the serum vitamin E, but these levels were not significantly changed in either sex by supplementation. Analysis for serum iron was conducted to determine its relation to serum vitamin E. Prior to supplementation the mean serum iron concentrations were 250 ug/dl in males and 303 ug/dl in females. The post supplementation serum concentrations rose slightly to 269 ug/dl in the male group and 322 ug/dl in the female group.

Notes

Vitamin E deficiency causes:

• RBC hemolysis
• creatinuria
• xanthomatosis and cirrhosis of the gall bladder
• steatorrhea in the young
• cystic fibrosis of the pancreas in the young
• degeneration of reproductive tissues
• encephalomalacia

The serum d-a tocopherol levels were raised by supplementation with the vitamin.

Storage of fish causes gradual loss of their vitamin E content.

Vitamin E supplement in acetate form is preferable to that in succinate form because it is stable in storage for longer periods.