Survey of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins in captive black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata)

Serum and whole blood samples from 64 clinically normal captive black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), aged 6 mo to 32 yr, were analyzed to survey mineral and fat-soluble vitamin concentrations. All animals were fed a commercial primate food and a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Specific commercial diet information was available for 52 animals that were fed one of 10 different diets. Data analysis showed no differences in the analytes attributable to sex or access to natural ultraviolet light. Serum phosphorus (range: 1.4-3.1 mmol/L) was significantly higher and retinol (range: 0.38-1.23 μmol/L) was significantly lower in young animals (≤4 yr). Iron (range: 17.2-77.0 μmol/L) and copper (range: 10.7-53.3 μmol/L) were much higher than concentrations reported in other free-ranging lemur species, and in some animals were at levels considered potentially toxic in domestic animals. Magnesium (range: 0.66-2.04 mmol/L), sodium (range: 111-201 mmol/L), and potassium (range: 2.0-6.8 mmol/L) ranged both lower and higher than concentrations considered adequate for a mammal, but were similar to concentrations reported in wild red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra), a closely related species. Selenium (range: 3.5-7.7 μmol/L) was within the range expected for a mammal, but higher than concentrations reported in wild V. rubra. Zinc (range: 9.2-62.7 μmol/L) was similar to concentrations reported in V. rubra. Calcidiol (range: <12.5-144.8 nmol/L) and retinol (range: 0.38-2.95 μmol/L) were both lower and higher than concentrations reported in V. rubra. Lower serum calcidiol concentration correlated with lower commercial dietary vitamin D3. α-tocopherol (range: 1.2-17.6 μmol/L) and γ-tocopherol (range: 0.3-3.9 μmol/L) were within a range expected in a captive fru ivorous primate but higher than concentrations found in wild V. rubra.