Effect of Lutein Supplementation on Blood Carotenoids and Vitamins in a Variety of Marine Mammals
Abstract
Lutein, an oxygenated carotenoid concentrated in the retina in a variety of species, may enhance ocular health.2 Given the high incidence of ocular pathology in captive marine mammals,1 it was hypothesized that a lutein supplement may protect against some of these conditions. This trial examined the response of different marine mammals to dietary lutein supplementation.
A variety of marine mammals (7 beluga whales, 2 hooded seals, 2 grey seals, 8 harbor seals, 5 harp seals, 1 stellar sea lion, 8 dolphins, 11 California sea lions, 8 elephant seals, 3 killer whales, 4 walrus, 2 manatee) were fed a lutein supplement at 3.6 mg lutein/kg body weight0.75 per day for 15 to 21 days. Blood was collected pre- and post-supplementation, and analyzed by HPLC for carotenoids, retinol and α-tocopherol. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and Tukey' s LSM was used to compare differences between means, when main effects were significant at p<0.05.
Results demonstrate that supplementation did not affect the levels of blood α-tocopherol or retinol, but did increase blood lutein and zeaxanthin (p = 0.01, and 0.02, respectively). Species that had increased blood lutein and/or zeaxanthin post-supplementation included beluga whales and dolphins. Despite their herbivorous nature, manatees had no detectable blood carotenoids, nor did walrus or California sea lions.
Preliminary research suggested that in terms of blood lutein, cetaceans are more responsive to dietary lutein supplementation than pinnipeds.3 These data confirm that observation. Differences within groups of animals (e.g., pinnipeds) may reflect differences in absorption or metabolism of dietary carotenoids or in tissue deposition.
References
1. Dunn JL, Overstrom NA, St. Aubin DJ 1996. An epidemiologic survey to determine factors associated with corneal and lenticular lesions in captive harbor seals and California sea lions. IAAAM 27th Annual Conference Proceedings, Chattanooga, TN; Pp. 108-109.
2. Mares-Perlman JA, Millen AE, Ficek TL, Hankinson SE 2002. The body of evidence to support a protective role for lutein and zeaxanthin in delaying chronic disease. Overview J Nutr 132:518S-524S.
3. Koutsos EA, Schmitt T, Colitz CMH, Mazzaro L 2009. Appearance of lutein in plasma of marine mammals is source and species specific. IAAAM Annual Conference Proceedings, San Antonio, TX.