Relationship between Sunlight Exposure, Housing Condition, and Serum Vitamin D and Related Physiologic Biomarker Levels in Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

In primates, the primary source of vitamin D is synthesis in the skin through sun exposure. Decreased sun exposure may lead to vitamin D deficiency and consequently other health issues. In laboratory, sanctuary, and zoo settings, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) may be housed indoors for prolonged peri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comparative medicine 2007-08, Vol.57 (4), p.402-406
Main Authors: Videan, E.N, Heward, C.B, Fritz, J, Murphy, J, Cortez, C, Su, Y
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alkaline phosphatase
Alkaline Phosphatase - blood
animal disease models
animal housing
Animals
Animals, Laboratory
Animals, Zoo
biomarkers
Biomarkers - blood
calcium
Calcium - blood
Female
gender differences
Housing, Animal
indoor housing
Lighting
Male
nutrition physiology
outdoor enclosures
Pan troglodytes
Pan troglodytes - blood
phosphorus
Retrospective Studies
serum albumin
Sex Factors
solar radiation
Sunlight
vitamin D
Vitamin D - blood
Vitamin D Deficiency - prevention & control
Vitamin D Deficiency - veterinary
vitamin deficiencies
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Summary:In primates, the primary source of vitamin D is synthesis in the skin through sun exposure. Decreased sun exposure may lead to vitamin D deficiency and consequently other health issues. In laboratory, sanctuary, and zoo settings, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) may be housed indoors for prolonged periods of time without regular exposure to unfiltered sunlight. However, little research has examined the relationship between housing conditions and vitamin D serum levels in captive chimpanzees. In this study, we retrospectively compared serum levels of total vitamin D, calcium, ionic calcium, phosphorous, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase in 18 female and 12 male chimpanzees as they cycled between indoor-only and indoor-outdoor enclosures. Total vitamin D was significantly lower and alkaline phosphatase significantly higher when subjects were in the indoor-only enclosures compared with when they had regular access to outdoor enclosures. A vitamin D effect occurred only in young and prime-adult animals. Changes were significant in female but not in male chimpanzees. Calcium, ionic calcium, phosphorus, and albumin did not differ between indoor-only and indoor-outdoor enclosures. However, female chimpanzees exhibited significantly lower calcium and phosphorous levels while in the indoor-only enclosures. These results suggest that adult captive chimpanzees experience vitamin D deficiency when housed without regular access to unfiltered sunlight and that these effects may be more acute for adult female animals.
ISSN:1532-0820
2769-819X