Serum vitamin D in sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in range countries: A pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Background Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health, calcium homeostasis and general health. The major and more stable form of vitamin D in circulation is 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OH‐D); this is the most valuable indicator of vitamin D status. There are studies on laboratory and zoo‐housed chimpanzees; however, serum vitamin D status has not been documented in chimpanzees in range countries. Objectives (1) Determine the range of circulating 25‐OH‐D concentrations in chimpanzees in range countries. (2) Assess the influence of age, sex, and sun exposure on 25‐OH‐D serum concentrations. Methods Opportunistic blood samples were obtained from 127 clinically healthy chimpanzees. Serum 25‐OH‐D concentration was measured with a commercially available competitive ELISA. Results The median overall 25‐OH‐D concentration for chimpanzees in range countries was 46.24 nmol/L (range: 17.10–109.23 nmol/L). Males had a significantly lower concentration (40.15 nmol/L) than females (49.61 nmol/L), and infants (37.99 nmol/L) had a significantly lower concentration than adults (46.04 nmol/L). Concentrations of 25‐OH‐D in chimpanzees in sunnier habitats were significantly higher compared to thick tropical forest habitat. Conclusion The present constitutes a large dataset of serum 25‐OH‐D concentrations in range country sanctuary chimpanzees and contributes to document normal ranges. Age, sex, and sun exposure influenced serum concentrations of 25‐OH‐D in sanctuary chimpanzees.

Keywords

• Great apes
• vitamin D
• 25‐OH‐D
• physiologic ranges
• sun exposure
• primate