@article{MuellerAltenkampRailaetal.2011, author = {M{\"u}ller, Kerstin E. and Altenkamp, Rainer and Raila, Jens and Schmidt, Daniel and Dietrich, Robert and Hurtienne, Andrea and Wink, Michael and Krone, Oliver and Brunnberg, Leo and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol in different free-ranging birds of prey}, series = {European journal of wildlife research}, volume = {57}, journal = {European journal of wildlife research}, number = {5}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {1612-4642}, doi = {10.1007/s10344-011-0516-z}, pages = {1043 -- 1049}, year = {2011}, abstract = {In this study, we investigated the alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations in healthy free-ranging nestlings of the white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) (n=32), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (n=39), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) (n=25), common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (n=31), and honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) (n=18) as well as of free-ranging adults of the white-tailed sea eagle (n=10), osprey (n=31), and northern goshawk (n=45). alpha-Tocopherol plasma concentrations were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. alpha-Tocopherol plasma concentrations in nestlings of osprey, white-tailed sea eagle, and northern goshawk did not differ significantly amongst the species, but the common buzzard and honey buzzard nestlings had significantly lower alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations than nestlings of the other species (both P<0.001). Adult male ospreys and white-tailed sea eagles had significantly higher alpha-tocopherol concentrations compared to adult females (both P<0.005). Adult ospreys and northern goshawks had significantly higher alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations compared to their nestlings (both P<0.001). In adult female northern goshawks, plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol increased significantly before egg laying (P<0.001). These results demonstrate alpha-tocopherol plasma concentrations in birds of prey to be species specific and influenced by age and reproductive status.}, language = {en} }